Bayer Leverkusen defeats Mainz 2-1 to extend their winning streak to 33 games and go 11 points clear of Bayern Munich
After defeating Mainz 2-1, Bayer Leverkusen extended their advantage over Bayern Munich topping the Bundesliga; Leverkusen broke the German record by going 33 games without a loss in all competitions; Robert Andrich and Granit Xhaka score the goals.
With a 2-1 victory over Mainz, Bayer Leverkusen broke the German record with 33 straight games without a loss in all competitions. Granit Xhaka scored his team’s first goal.
Leverkusen, who haven’t dropped a game since the previous campaign, increased their advantage to 11 points before Bayern Munich, the 11-time defending champion, hosts Leipzig on Saturday. After this weekend, eleven rounds are left.
The focus of the build-up to Friday’s game was Xabi Alonso, the coach of Leverkusen, and his future, as his former employers, Liverpool and Bayern Munich, are searching for new coaches for the upcoming campaign.
After he took over in October 2022 and lifted Leverkusen out of the relegation zone to legitimate title contenders, Alonso has no shortage of admirers.
The German soccer league’s decision to abandon its intention to seek outside funding in exchange for a portion of media rights revenue was met with celebration from supporters, who held a banner reading “Football belongs to the fans.”
After Xhaka gave Leverkusen a three-minute lead, they did not have to wait long to relive the celebration. On his thirty-first club appearance, the Switzerland midfielder scored his first goal with a rocket shot from outside the penalty area.
However, four minutes later, Dominik Kohr scored a header at the other end to equalize for the visitors. When Jeremie Frimpong was penalized for complaining after Mainz defender Phillipp Mwene tripped him when he would have been through on goal, Leverkusen’s emotions escalated.
There was contact, according to TV replays. Alonso’s complaints also resulted in a booking.
After the interval, Leverkusen was still frustrated that they couldn’t find a way through.
In the 68th minute, Robert Andrich appeared to have a harmless shot, but the generally superb Zentner was unable to save it, as the ball looped in over his head.
It was sufficient for the victory as Jessic Ngankam’s sending off in the 80th minute following a VAR review for a reckless tackle on Xhaka dashed Mainz’s aspirations.
