4 months ago
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Bayer Leverkusen eased to a 3-0 win over Bayern Munich as a Xabi Alonso tactical masterclass threatens to leave Harry Kane trophyless for another season.
Leverkusen have now extended their Bundesliga lead to five points with the club now 31 games unbeaten in all competitions this season.
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They could now be on course for a first-ever Bundesliga title, having finished runners-up on five occasions.
The result was also a hammer-blow to Bayern's chances of extending their Bundesliga title-winning streak to 12 years.
That's despite the signing of £100million man Harry Kane, who could well continue his record of never winning a trophy as a professional thanks to an anonymous performance where he managed only one shot and made just 18 touches.
The 30-year-old picked a club where trophies are as close to guaranteed as you can get in European football, but he didn't factor in Leverkusen manager Alonso.
The Spaniard has become a complete sensation in his first full season in senior management, and this victory is another that will convince former club Liverpool that he's the man to replace Jurgen Klopp this summer.
Alonso made the surprise decision of dropping key fullback Jeremie Frimpong to the bench, and was rewarded 18 minutes in when Josip Stanisic scored his first goal for the club.
The Munich-born Croatian international is on-loan from Bayern and refused to celebrate, but Alonso was made to look like a genius.
Conversely, his opposite number on the Bayern bench, Thomas Tuchel, was left with egg on his face, as his decision to give new signing Sacha Boey his first start allowed Stanisic to drift in unmarked for an easy goal.
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Tuchel will also be accused of overthinking the game, having decided to match Alonso's back-three system for the top of the table clash.
The only other time he'd done so this season was against Mainz, which also resulted in defeat.
Alonso's Leverkusen now have a stunning record of 31 games, 26 wins, 0 defeats and 93 goals in all competitions.
Liverpool fans will have been watching on drooling, with the only downside being they may well have competition for the Spaniard's services from Bayern themselves.
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