German Roundup: Record-equalling Bayer Leverkusen returns top with rout of Union Berlin

BERLIN (AP) — Xabi Alonso did it earlier than as a participant. Now he’s completed it once more as a coach.

Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen routed Union Berlin 4-0 to return to the highest of the Bundesliga after matching the league’s best-ever begin on Sunday with 10 wins and a draw.

As a cultured midfielder, Alonso was additionally a part of the Bayern Munich crew that solely dropped two factors within the first 11 rounds beneath coach Pep Guardiola in 2015-16.

“We don’t want to talk too much about the record,” Alonso mentioned. “We want to keep going, we want to look forward. It’s going to be difficult before the winter break.”

Spanish compatriot Álex Grimaldo — a defender — scored once more and arrange one other objective Sunday.

Grimaldo, who joined Leverkusen within the low season from Benfica, took his league tally to 6 objectives by scoring for the second consecutive sport.

Leverkusen capitalized on some lacklustre defending from Union when the 28-year-old Grimaldo was arrange by Florian Wirtz to open the scoring within the twenty third minute.

The residence crew missed additional good probabilities to construct on its lead till Odilon Kossounou headed in a nook from Jonas Hofmann within the 56th.

Union defender Jérôme Roussillon prevented worse when he made a goal-line clearance a minute later, however Grimaldo despatched in one other nook for Jonathan Tah to seal the consequence within the 73rd.

There was nonetheless time for Nathan Tella to attain his first Bundesliga objective with a high quality end on a counterattack that began with a free kick from the guests within the 83rd.

Leverkusen moved again to 2 factors away from Bayern Munich, which had moved provisionally high Saturday with a 4-2 win over Heidenheim.

Union, which snapped a 12-game dropping run throughout all competitions with a 1-1 draw at Napoli within the Champions League on Wednesday, couldn’t stop its ninth consecutive Bundesliga defeat because it dropped to final place.

“You could see a difference in class today,” Union coach Urs Fischer said. “But I have to say, the manner in which we conceded the goals, we really made it too easy for them.”

When Leverkusen hosted Union within the thirteenth spherical of the Bundesliga final season, Union was high going into the sport and Leverkusen was within the relegation zone. Now it’s the opposite method round.

“Hopefully all the players come back fit from the international break,” Alonso said. “The feeling is super at the moment.”

Eintracht Frankfurt fought again from two objectives down to attract at Werder Bremen 2-2, and Leipzig loved a 3-1 win over Freiburg to maneuver fourth, two factors above Borussia Dortmund.