Prior to Bayern Munich’s recent home defeat to Borussia Dortmund, the likelihood of Bayern surpassing Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga standings before the season’s conclusion was minimal. Bayer Leverkusen, colloquially known as Die Werkself, secured a 2-1 victory over TSG Hoffenheim, netting crucial goals in the 88th and 91st minutes. Throughout the season, Leverkusen has developed a propensity for clinching last-minute victories or equalizers in both Bundesliga and Europa League fixtures.
The point disparity between the two teams has widened to 13 points in the league standings, a substantial margin prompting Thomas Tuchel to offer tentative congratulations to Leverkusen on their imminent Meisterschale triumph following Bayern’s defeat to Dortmund. While Bayern’s chances of catching up to Leverkusen were slim regardless, last weekend’s outcomes hastened the inevitable, with Dortmund claiming their first victory at the Allianz Arena in an extended period and Leverkusen once again demonstrating their knack for late-game heroics.
Amidst considerable interest from Bayern and Liverpool, Xabi Alonso has expressed his intention to continue with Leverkusen next season, much to the satisfaction of the club’s management. Alonso’s commitment coincides with the impending possibility of multiple celebratory occasions for the club, potentially involving the acquisition of silverware. His managerial achievements thus far have been remarkable, and although he maintains a focus on taking each match as it comes, Alonso acknowledged having observed Bayern’s loss to Dortmund.
Alonso remarked, “Naturally, I watched the match. It felt like a double victory for us. The extended lead holds significant importance, improving our situation. With one less match to play and three additional points, the scenario is favorable.” Despite Leverkusen’s advantageous position in the league, Alonso emphasizes the importance of remaining grounded and maintaining focus across all competitions.
Further slip-ups by Bayern could expedite Leverkusen’s title triumph, potentially securing the championship with weeks to spare. Additionally, Bayern may opt to rest key players during the Champions League quarterfinal clashes against Arsenal FC, further enhancing Leverkusen’s prospects of clinching the title at an earlier juncture.