Bayer Leverkusen went 33 games without a defeat last night, a record in German football, after beating Mainz to move 11 points clear of Bayern Munich in the race for the Bundesliga title.
Granit Xhaka opened the scoring for Xabi Alonso’s side inside three minutes before Mainz’ Dominik Kohr equalised against his former employers. Robert Andrich secured three points for Bayer after 68 minutes, but with help from Robin Zentner who fumbled the German’s long range effort.
Bayer Leverkusen have now placed themselves in an excellent position heading into the latter stages of the season. They travel to local rivals Köln on March 3 before facing Qarabag FK in the Europa Leauge.
With a treble still possible this season, Granit Xhaka addressed Bayer Leverkusen’s title charge. Speaking after last night’s win, the Swiss midfielder was asked on the pressure that players can feel under when in a title race.
“I see it in such a way that we have something to lose. Because it is not self-evident that you have an eight-point lead over the second,” said Xhaka.
“If someone has the feeling that we are now looking at what happens after 34 match days and that we have nothing to lose with eight or now eleven points, he is wrong.”
GGFN | Daniel Pinder
