Alonso Lauds Leverkusen Discipline in Dortmund Triumph
Bayer Leverkusen moved to within a point of Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund on Friday night. Manager Xabi Alonso praised his team’s disciplined performance, which showcased their growth as reigning champions.
A Lightning-Fast Start
Leverkusen wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Nathan Tella opening the scoring just 24 seconds into the match. Patrik Schick doubled their lead in the eighth minute, capitalizing on a chaotic Dortmund defense.
Although Jamie Gittens pulled one back for the hosts, Schick restored Leverkusen’s two-goal cushion shortly after, securing his brace and capping off a frenetic opening 19 minutes. This marked the first time since March 2000 that Leverkusen scored three goals within the first 19 minutes of a Bundesliga away game.
Second-Half Resilience
Despite Serhou Guirassy’s late penalty threatening a nervy conclusion, Leverkusen held firm to claim all three points. Dortmund dominated much of the second half, but Alonso’s side limited them to few clear-cut opportunities, registering just one shot on target themselves after halftime.
Leverkusen’s defensive organization and composure under pressure were key to preserving their sixth consecutive Bundesliga victory.
Alonso’s Praise for Team Discipline
Speaking in the post-match press conference, Alonso expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance and highlighted their progress throughout the season.
“We are very satisfied with the performance and with the win,” Alonso said. “To come here and win with such a serious performance means that our development is important. A good start to the year.”
Alonso emphasized the balance his team displayed, both in attack and defense:
“We did the work in the beginning (of the game) and then we controlled it. We did it well with the ball, but we also did it really well without the ball. We did not concede much. It is a development of our game that we can compete in this way, to play here with this discipline against a top, top team in Europe.”
Leverkusen’s Record-Breaking Form
The victory extended Leverkusen’s unbeaten away record in the Bundesliga to an impressive 25 matches (19 wins, six draws), a club record. Their six-match winning streak has reignited their title challenge, placing them just one point behind Bayern Munich.
Dortmund’s Home Unbeaten Run Ends
For Dortmund, the defeat marked their first home loss of the season. Nuri Sahin’s side now sits in sixth place, facing increasing pressure to secure a top-four finish.
Looking Ahead
With momentum firmly on their side, Leverkusen will aim to maintain their form in the title race. Alonso’s focus on discipline and adaptability has turned his team into one of Europe’s most formidable sides, capable of grinding out results in high-stakes matches.
For Dortmund, the loss serves as a wake-up call as they seek to rediscover consistency and climb the Bundesliga standings.
