BERLIN (AP) — Xabi Alonso can’t bring himself to talk about winning the Bundesliga just yet, but his team is betting like a champion inexorably closing in on the German title.
Bayer Leverkusen passed their final test on Sunday with a mature performance in a 2-0 win over Wolfsburg, three days after returning from Baku, Azerbaijan, where they overcame a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at Qarabağ in the Europa League.
Leverkusen are unbeaten 36 times in all competitions this season, a German record.
Despite being able to pull off victories like the 3-0 win over Bayern Munich last month, Leverkusen patiently beat Wolfsburg to claim their 21st league win.
That gave the team a 10-point lead over 11-time defending champions Bayern with nine games remaining.
But Alonso is refusing to comment on the name for now. “April,” he replied on Sunday when asked when it would be appropriate to communicate about it.
The 42-year-old takes on his first coaching role after a glittering career in Spain, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Real Sociedad and Bayern.
Alonso began his youth career in Madrid before spending three years as coach of the Sociedad’s reserve team.
Always unhurried, Alonso’s philosophy was evidently transmitted to the players.
He said: “We have a transparent concept that when we are in control, when we are patient, we play better. And that’s where you get better results, higher performance. That’s the trend this season, especially here at home.
“Normally you have to force the initiative. Players know when to play fast, when to play short. I don’t have a joystick on the bench for that. They have to organize themselves and when I see the players making smart decisions, we usually play better.
Alonso’s good fortune (Leverkusen were in the relegation zone when he took over in October 2022) has increased his appeal to Bayern and Liverpool, who want a new coach next season, and Madrid, who are still in no hurry to update Carlo Ancelotti. I know the day will come.
Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro is already prepared for Alonso’s departure.
“We’re pleased he’s here, but Xabi Alonso is a piece of the puzzle. It’s not like everything is going to fall apart if he’s not there,” Carro said in an interview with online television channel DAZN. “The top sensible team, we have a coaching staff, (sporting director) Simon Rolfes. . . So, here are the maximum of the other guilty of good luck, despite Xabi Alonso. “
Alonso said he would not be distracted by hypotheses about his future. It also wouldn’t be surprising if he stayed at Leverkusen – he turned down Borussia Mönchengladbach when he was still at Sociedad because he felt he wasn’t in a position to move.
Leverkusen have the defence in the Bundesliga with only 16 goals conceded in 25 games, while only Bayern have scored more (thanks to the remarkable Harry Kane who finished in Robert Lewandowski’s goalscoring record).
But Alonso’s reluctance to talk about a potential Bundesliga win is justified, as Leverkusen have suffered a series of painful mishaps, finishing second in 2011, 2002, 2000, 1999 and 1997.
Leverkusen lost the German Cup final and the Champions League in 2002.
Only the club’s longest-serving fans won the German Cup in 1993 or the UEFA Cup in 1998.
Granit Xhaka has played a major role in the team’s good fortune since arriving from Arsenal last summer, but the Swiss midfielder also knows what it’s like to let victory slip away after Manchester City reshuffled the Gunners to win the Premier League name last year.
“I hope this doesn’t happen again,” Xhaka said after the win over Wolfsburg. “We still have nine games left and we haven’t won anything yet. We have to keep racing like we are doing now, work hard and I know the next few weeks are very important.
Leverkusen, who have also qualified for the semi-finals of the German Cup, host Qarabağ in the second leg of the Europa League round of 16 on Thursday before travelling to Freiburg in the Bundesliga on Sunday.
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