2024-02-24 01:47:32
Bayer Leverkusen beat Mainz 2-1 on Friday, to move 11 points ahead of its closest chaser at the top of the German Football League and set a record for a club in the German top flight after 33 consecutive matches without defeat in all competitions.
The Bundesliga leaders, who lacked their usual effectiveness in the front line while leaving the visiting team enough space to attack, needed an error from Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentner to snatch victory.
Leverkusen took the lead with a stunning shot from Granit Xhaka from 20 meters in the third minute, but this lead did not last long as Mainz equalized after only five minutes through Dominic Corr with a header.
Leverkusen had possession of the ball, but Mainz goalkeeper Zentner made a series of saves in the first half to keep the visitors in the game before letting a weak shot from Robert Andrich slip past him in the 68th minute as the hosts regained the lead.
Mainz completed the match with ten players after Gesek Ngankam was sent off for a foul on Xhaka.
“We have to be honest with ourselves and say that we did not play a good match,” Andric said. “We were a bit lucky to win it, but we are happy with the three points.”
He added: “We rushed too much and did not find the necessary solutions, and we made many mistakes.”
Coach Xabi Alonso’s team, which broke Bayern Munich’s previous unbeaten streak in 32 matches, now has 61 points, while Bayern, which is in second place with 50 points, will play against RB Leipzig on Saturday.
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