Xabi Alonso stays on course to break a Pep Guardiola record
Bayer Leverkusen snatched three points from the jaws of defeat to strengthen their Bundesliga title challenge.
Xabi Alonso’s men found themselves behind on two occasions at RB Leipzig before ultimately sealing the win through Piero Hincapié’s stoppage-time effort.
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Xavi Simons had given RBL an early lead before Nathan Tella levelled proceedings. Lois Openda put the hosts back in front until Jonathan Tah restored parity.
The result was Bayer’s fourth win on the bounce, and they maintained their unbeaten start. After the opening 18 matches this season, Leverkusen remains the only German top-division team yet to suffer a defeat.
Consequently, the Spanish tactician is on course to break a record set by his former boss, Pep Guardiola, who put together a 28-game unbeaten run from the start of the 2013/14 season.
In the immediate future, Bayer is five games away from equalling the all-time Bundesliga competitive unbeaten streak. They’ve currently put together a 27-game run with the overall standard, unexpectedly, set by Bayern.
An unexpected Bayer loss to Werder Bremen the following day leaves the defending champions in second and seven points behind with a game in hand.
Alonso was appointed Bayer’s head coach last season and oversaw their remaining 26 matches in which they picked up 13 wins but suffered seven losses.
He’s also posted more wins (15) this campaign, and chances of ending the club’s wait for a first Bundesliga title continue to grow.
Longest unbeaten runs across all competitions by Bundesliga sides:
◎ 32 – Bayern Munich (2019-2020)
◎ 27 – Werder Bremen (2003-2004)
◉ 27 – Bayer Leverkusen (2023-Present)Xabi is coming for the record. 😏 pic.twitter.com/0TXw5Q50WO
— Squawka (@Squawka) January 20, 2024
Bringing the experienced Granit Xhaka, who left Arsenal last summer, has paid dividends. The veteran Swiss midfielder, no stranger to Bundesliga football on the count of his past spell at Borussia Mönchengladbach, praised Alonso recently.
“Xabi was an unbelievable midfielder. He won everything except the Europa League – because he never played Europa League,” he
“But he’s an example of a new generation of coaching I think. He’s not only in the meetings and (in front of) the tactical board, but he’s showing himself.
“Passing for example. His passing is going on social media and of course it’s a different feeling when you are his player because you see what he means.
“To have someone like this, with this experience, with this personality, gives you a lot of confidence and do much more than you did before.”
Bayer is back in action on January 27 when they host Gladbach.
