Xabi Alonso is unfazed by Bayern Munich opening an eight-point lead over Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga title race, ahead of their huge head-to-head clash next week.
Reigning champions Leverkusen lost further ground on Bayern on Saturday, as they looked to react to the leaders’ 3-0 triumph over Werder Bremen the previous day.
Leverkusen – who started with star midfielder Florian Wirtz on the bench after needing extra time to beat Koln in the DFB-Pokal earlier this week – were held to a frustrating goalless draw at Wolfsburg.
But Alonso does not believe their bid for back-to-back titles is over, particularly with Bayern set to visit the BayArena next Saturday.
“For us things remain the same,” Alonso said. “Next week we play against Bayern at home. There is this eight-point gap in the table but we focus on what we can achieve.
“We have a bit of time to recover after four weeks with three matches per week. I don’t think too much about those eight points.
“If we beat Bayern then it’s five points. We play at home, with our fans and with good energy. We have the whole week to train.”
We keep going on. Together with you. #WOBB04 pic.twitter.com/ifGWKvBAZ1
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) February 8, 2025
Despite the draw, Alonso equalled late coach Udo Lattek’s all-time league record of 27 consecutive away games without defeat, set between 1985 and 1992.
Meanwhile, the decision to bench Wirtz – who missed a big chance in the dying moments – was questioned by some fans, but Alonso said he had no choice after his midweek exploits.
“It is easy to analyse things after the game but Florian’s effort after 120 minutes was big,” Alonso said.
“But he still came close with that last chance today.”
