Xabi Alonso reached another milestone in his managerial career as he led Bayer Leverkusen to break an enduring Bundesliga record set by rivals Bayern Munich.
The Black and Reds ran out 2-1 winners over hard-fighting Mainz at the BayArena I. Bundesliga matchday 23 on Friday, February 23, 2024.
In another nervy night for the Bundesliga giants, Granit Xhaka scored an outrageous opening goal just three minutes into the game. Four minutes after Xhaka's opener, Mainz clawed their charges back into the game, scoring a brilliant leveler through Kohr to bring the score level.
The quickfire double set the pace for a nervy Bundesliga matchup for the hosts. It took Andrich's 68th-minute strike in the second half to restore the lead for Bayer Leverkusen.
Mainz attempted to fight their way into the game but were dealt a heavy blow in the 80th minute as they were reduced to 10 men with Ngankam sent off.
It ended 2-1 with Bayer Leverkusen running out winners and extending the lead on top of the table.
Notably, Bayer Leverkusen went into the game tied with Bundesliga dominoes Bayern Munich on the same unbeaten streak of 32 in the Bundesliga.
The victory against Mainz has seen the club break Bayern Munich's record as they become the first Bundesliga club to go 33 matches without defeat.
According to Bundesliga.com, German football veteran Hansi Flick led Bayern Munich to a record 32-match unbeaten run in all competitions in the 2020 and 2021 seasons. It was a legendary milestone for the Bavarians, who have been unrivaled in the last 11 years in the Bundesliga. Now, a high-flying Die Werkself, under the watch of Xabi Alonso, have broken the record and raised the bar in the German elite division, having gone 33 matches without a loss in all competitions.
However, there is a difference between the feats by the two clubs. Bayern Munich reportedly completed their feat across two seasons while Bayer Leverkusen are doing so in one season.
The win over Mainz has also seen the team extend their lead on top of the table to 11 points, with Bayern Munich having a game in hand.
They will hope to continue on their record-breaking campaign and extend the record when they take on Cologne on Sunday.
The Black and Reds ran out 2-1 winners over hard-fighting Mainz at the BayArena I. Bundesliga matchday 23 on Friday, February 23, 2024.
In another nervy night for the Bundesliga giants, Granit Xhaka scored an outrageous opening goal just three minutes into the game. Four minutes after Xhaka's opener, Mainz clawed their charges back into the game, scoring a brilliant leveler through Kohr to bring the score level.
The quickfire double set the pace for a nervy Bundesliga matchup for the hosts. It took Andrich's 68th-minute strike in the second half to restore the lead for Bayer Leverkusen.
Mainz attempted to fight their way into the game but were dealt a heavy blow in the 80th minute as they were reduced to 10 men with Ngankam sent off.
It ended 2-1 with Bayer Leverkusen running out winners and extending the lead on top of the table.
Notably, Bayer Leverkusen went into the game tied with Bundesliga dominoes Bayern Munich on the same unbeaten streak of 32 in the Bundesliga.
The victory against Mainz has seen the club break Bayern Munich's record as they become the first Bundesliga club to go 33 matches without defeat.
According to Bundesliga.com, German football veteran Hansi Flick led Bayern Munich to a record 32-match unbeaten run in all competitions in the 2020 and 2021 seasons. It was a legendary milestone for the Bavarians, who have been unrivaled in the last 11 years in the Bundesliga. Now, a high-flying Die Werkself, under the watch of Xabi Alonso, have broken the record and raised the bar in the German elite division, having gone 33 matches without a loss in all competitions.
However, there is a difference between the feats by the two clubs. Bayern Munich reportedly completed their feat across two seasons while Bayer Leverkusen are doing so in one season.
The win over Mainz has also seen the team extend their lead on top of the table to 11 points, with Bayern Munich having a game in hand.
They will hope to continue on their record-breaking campaign and extend the record when they take on Cologne on Sunday.