Leverkusen on brink of Bundesliga title as Kane and Bayern collapse again

Xabi Alonso's relentless leaders move 16 points clear with six games to go as Munich limp towards European showdown with Arsenal

Sat, 06 Apr, 2024 - 17:37

Staff

European Round-up

The Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen battled past Union Berlin 1-0 on Saturday to equal a league record unbeaten run of 28 consecutive matches and all but secure their first league title with a 16-point advantage at the top and six matches remaining.

The visitors, who are also through to the German Cup final and face West Ham United next week in their Europa League quarter-final first leg, put Union on the back foot from the start. Despite a string of chances Xabi Alonso’s team had to wait until deep in first-half stoppage time for Florian Wirtz to convert a penalty. Minutes earlier, Union had Robin Gosens sent off after a second booking.

Leverkusen, who have gone 41 matches across all competitions this season without defeat, are on 76 points and can seal their first title next week, with second-placed Bayern Munich on 60 after they slumped to a 3-2 defeat at Heidenheim despite leading 2-0.

The Bavarians, who tackle Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday, looked to be cruising to a comfortable win after first-half goals from Harry Kane and Serge Gnabry. But the hosts struck back with two goals in two minutes – from Kevin Sessa and Tim Kleindienst – to stun Thomas Tuchel’s team. Kleindienst then made sure of the three points and Bayern’s second straight league loss.

In Serie A, Milan earned a comfortable 3-0 win at home against Lecce after the visitors were reduced to 10 men minutes before the break.

Christian Pulisic gave Milan an early lead with a curling effort from the edge of the box and Olivier Giroud doubled their advantage from point-blank range after a corner in the 20th minute. Lecce lost a player just before the break when forward Nikola Krstovic saw a straight red for taking down Samuel Chukwueze, before Rafael Leão made it 3-0 for the hosts after a solo run before the hour mark.

Milan are second in the standings on 68 points, nine points above third-placed Juventus who host Fiorentina on Sunday and 11 behind Inter, who travel to 14th-placed Udinese on Monday. Lecce remain 13th with 29 points.

Guardian