Unstoppable Leverkusen beat Union Berlin to close in on title
Berlin, Germany - Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen battled past Union Berlin 1-0 on Saturday to equal a league record unbeaten run of 28 consecutive matches and all but secure their first league title with a 16-point advantage at the top and six matches remaining.
Xabi Alonso’s team, who have not lost in 41 matches across all competitions this season, can clinch their maiden Bundesliga title and first trophy in 31 years with a victory at home against Werder Bremen next week.
They are also set to break an 11-season stranglehold on the league by Bayern Munich, who have won every Bundesliga title since 2013. Leverkusen are now on 76 points with six games left and second-placed Bayern anchored on 60 following a shock 3-2 defeat at Heidenheim, their second league loss in a row.
“I am very proud of the team. We prepared well and had the right mentality. The situation now is very good for us and maybe we will have something to celebrate next week,” Alonso said.
Bayern Munich suffer shock defeat
Bayern Munich squandered a two-goal lead to slump to a shock 3-2 loss at Heidenheim on Saturday that all but dashed the Bavarians’ slim Bundesliga title hopes with six games left to play.
Tim Kleindienst completed a memorable comeback for the hosts in the 79th minute after they had struck twice in two minutes early in the second half, leaving Bayern 16 points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
The Bavarians, who take on Arsenal next week in the Champions League quarter-final first leg, have now lost their last two league matches with embattled coach Thomas Tuchel set to leave at the end of the season.