How do you follow up an historic upset? That’s the question facing Xabi Alonso and Bayer Leverkusen as they seek to prove they belong among European soccer’s top teams after ending Bayern Munich’s 11-year reign in the German league last season.

With Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen side trailing Bundesliga leaders, Bayern Munich by eight points, the Leverkusen Head Coach tried to play down the hype on Friday ahead of an enthralling

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso was caught by surprise when the news broke that Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala had renewed his contract until 2030 on the eve of the two teams' big Bundesliga topper on Saturday.

Xabi Alonso insisted that Bayer Leverkusen's top-of-the-table clash with Bundesliga leader Bayern Munich will not decide where the title will end up this season.

Saturday's Bundesliga big game between leaders Bayern Munich and champions Bayer Leverkusen is not a title-deciding game even though the latter are eight points behind the Bavarians, Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso said on Friday.

LEVERKUSEN – Asked if coach Xabi Alonso could one day be commemorated outside Bayer Leverkusen’s BayArena home, club chief executive Fernando Carro said that “after last year, it’s already enough for a statue”.

Bayer Leverkusen, led by coach Xabi Alonso, seeks to cement its place among Europe's soccer elite following an outstanding season. With key players retained, Leverkusen aims for consistent top-four finishes and Champions League qualification,

Bayer Leverkusen find themselves eight points adrift of leaders Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, and take on Vincent Kompany's side next.

Bayern Munich's clash with Bayer Leverkusen is a critical match but not a title decider, states Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso. With Bayern holding an eight-point lead, Alonso emphasizes the need for a near-perfect performance against the dominant Bavarians to keep their title hopes alive.