This is perhaps a transfer of power that football Germany has just witnessed.
Between Bayern Munich, last season's Bundesliga champion
at the last minute
, and Bayer Leverkusen, on track to succeed him.
This Saturday, February 10, the highly anticipated shock of the 21st day of the German championship saw Xabi Alonso's men dominate, logically, those of Thomas Tuchel (3-0).
Leaders and undefeated at kick-off, after the first 20 Bundesliga matches (16 wins, 4 draws), but with only two points ahead of Bayern, second, the
Werkself
had before them one of the great challenges of his season.
Challenge passed without trembling: Bayern, usually so dominant, practically did not exist in this match against a Leverkusen team with a decidedly intense, dynamic game, regulated to the millimeter.
Grimaldo, already 9 goals this season
It didn't take long for the leaders to take the advantage.
Ironically, after two hot situations signed by Amine Adli, it was Josip Stanišić, the 23-year-old right back on loan from... Bayern Munich, who pushed an impeccable cross from Robert Andrich into the back of the net at the far post (1-0 , 18th).
The clear situations and opportunities were almost all for Bayer Leverkusen, in a match where the rare Munich bursts were not very dangerous (9 shots, only 1 on target), with the exception of a powerful but difficult strike by Joshua Kimmich at the end of the match (83rd).
The Black and Reds very quickly doubled the lead after returning from the locker room, at the start of the second half.
As if to confirm the immense role that the full-backs play in Xabi Alonso's collective, it was the inevitable Alejandro Grimaldo who came to make the break, scoring his ninth goal of the season in the league.
At the end of added time and a crazy race, while Manuel Neuer was on a corner, Jeremie Frimpong scored the third goal from almost 30 meters to completely knock out Bayern (3-0, 90th + 5).
Also read “Short of money for my flights to Liverpool”: when a fake Xabi Alonso scams his fans
As of February 10, Xabi Alonso's amazing team takes a 5-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga ahead of its evening opponent, and remains the only team in the five major European championships to have not yet suffered defeat.
A rare, unique performance, which gently hints at the end of an unchallenged reign for Bayern Munich, which has won the last eleven editions of the German championship.