After some bumpy games in the league, such as away at VfL Bochum, Werder Bremen or at home against Holstein Kiel, the German champions Bayer Leverkusen have obviously found their way back on track!
After the convincing victories in the league against Heidenheim and Union Berlin as well as the 5-0 spectacle against RB Salzburg, the 1-0 win at Bayern – albeit with the friendly help of the red card from Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer – follows the entry into the DFB Cup quarter-finals! The path to defending the title is clear, the strongest opponent is out! Bayer 04 is functioning completely as a team again – also and especially defensively!
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5:36
DFB Cup, round of 16: Despite a strong performance, FC Bayern failed in the round of 16 against defending champions Bayer Leverkusen. Substitute Nathan Tella scored the goal to make it 1-0 for the double winners.
For a few weeks now, reporters at the BayArena have been puzzling over why Leverkusen has conceded so many easy goals this season. We always cited a lack of concentration and too much satisfaction as the reason. Suddenly you can't see much of it anymore! Xabi Alonso has managed to get his team a bit hotter again! The result: Only one goal conceded in the last three games. The offensive players are also ready to suffer again! Florian Wirtz not only impressed in Munich as a magic dribbler, but also worked incredibly effectively at the back, like many of his colleagues.
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2:46
In an interview after the game against FC Bayern in the DFB Cup round of 16, Xabi Alonso is happy about the 1-0 win and talks about Bayern's red card, Tella's goal and his relationship with Joshua Kimmich.
Bayer is slowly returning to championship form
That's the attitude that every player, whether in the starting line-up or on the bench, had in the championship season. That's why Bayer 04 remained unbeaten for the entire season! Now the Werkself are slowly but surely returning to championship form before Christmas, despite many injuries in the offensive area. Players like Patrik Schick or Nathan Tella, who come off the bench, immediately take advantage of their opportunities and show that they are not just alternatives for the coach, but are once again the deciding factor.
This is exactly what has always made Bayer 04 strong under Alonso in the past and this is exactly what must be done to make the Munich championship, already promised by Bavaria's honorary president Uli Hoeneß, exciting once again.
Actually, Bayern won't let something like that be taken away from them anymore
Yes, there are still seven points away from the top in the league and Bayern can't really let anything like that be taken away from them. Actually. Because the record champions' games against Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen have shown that they can be cracked! And Bayer 04 is ready for it again…
More about the author Marlon Irlbacher
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