Xabi Alonso focused on West Ham task after edging closer to Bundesliga title

Bayer Leverkusen are just one win away from securing their first Bundesliga title, but Xabi Alonso is focused on Thursday’s task against West Ham following their 1-0 win against Union Berlin on Saturday.

Florian Wirtz put Leverkusen in the lead from the spot as Bayer made it 41 games unbeaten across all competitions. With Bayern Munich’s collapse against Heidenheim despite being 0-2 up, Alonso’s Leverkusen can now secure the Meisterschale next weekend against Werder Bremen. But with a Europa League quarter-final against West Ham on Thursday, Alonso is very much focused on advancing to the next round.

“I’m very proud of my team,” said Alonso after a difficult 1-0 win at Union. “The game was typical of our season. We prepared well and went into the game with a lot of mentality. The situation is very good for us now and maybe we can celebrate something on Sunday. But before that there is the Europa League and that is where all the focus lies.”

Bayer Leverkusen’s win is their ninth consecutive victory in the Bundesliga, beating the club’s previous record of eight set in the 1999/00 season. With the club 16 points clear of Bayern Munich, a win for B04 against Bremen on Sunday will see them secure the Bundesliga, ending Bayern’s 11-year dominance.

GGFN | Daniel Pinder