Leverkusen March On: Stunning Strike and Goalkeeper Gaffe Seal Hard-Fought Win, Maintain 11-Point Lead
Bayer Leverkusen’s historic title charge in the Bundesliga continues unabated. Xabi Alonso’s men secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory at home against Mainz, extending their unbeaten streak to a staggering 33 games and solidifying their position at the top of the table.
➕➕Rekord unterm Kreuz ➕➕
🔙#B04M05 2:1 | @Bundesliga_DE | #Bayer04 | #Bundesliga pic.twitter.com/4zG7HfwsCU
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04fussball) February 23, 2024
The match started brightly for Leverkusen, with former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka unleashing a stunning long-range strike that dipped and swerved past the helpless Robin Zentner in the Mainz goal. However, the joy was short-lived as Dominik Kohr equalised with a header just six minutes later, sending shivers down the spines of the home crowd.
The second half saw Leverkusen dominate possession and create numerous chances, but they were repeatedly denied by a combination of Zentner’s heroics and their own profligacy in front of goal. The breakthrough finally arrived just past the hour mark through an unlikely source.
Robert Andrich unleashed a speculative shot from distance that seemed destined for Zentner’s grasp, but the goalkeeper inexplicably fumbled the ball, allowing it to squirm into the net.
This proved to be the winner, sending the BayArena into raptures. The victory not only cemented Leverkusen’s position at the summit of the Bundesliga, but also extended their lead over reigning champions Bayern Munich to a staggering 11 points. This is a significant advantage, and with 12 games remaining, the title race is starting to look like a one-horse race.
Alonso’s men have now surpassed the previous record for most consecutive games unbeaten by a German club, a testament to their incredible consistency and tactical acumen. They are playing with a swagger and confidence rarely seen before, and their attacking prowess is matched by a resolute defense.
While there is still a long way to go in the season, Leverkusen’s position is looking increasingly strong. If they can maintain their current form and avoid any major slip-ups, the Bundesliga trophy could be heading to the BayArena for the first time in their history.
