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.

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.

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

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”.

I t will be a chance for redemption atop the Bundesliga for Bayern Munich as they travel to face Bayer Leverkusen at the BayArena on Saturday. Bayern currently lead the league by