´Fantastic´ Leverkusen only missing a goal against Bayern, says Alonso

Bayer Leverkusen played a near-perfect game in their 0-0 draw against Bayern Munich on Saturday and the only thing missing was a goal to crown that “fantastic” performance, said coach Xabi Alonso.

The champions took control from the start and twice hit the woodwork midway through the first half, giving the visitors little breathing space with their high pressing game.

Since Opta data collection began in 2004-05, Leverkusen are one of just two teams to not concede a single shot on target against Bayern in a Bundesliga match.

Only Wolfsburg, in May 2008, had previously accomplished that feat.

“We have the feeling that we played a fantastic game,” Alonso told a press conference. “The way we have played is our best game against Bayern this year, even last year.

“We have done almost everything right but we missed the goal. We created enough chances.

“A fantastic performance. The other part is the result, with which we are not that happy. But that’s football.

0 – Bayer 04 Leverkusen are only the second team not to concede a shot on target in a Bundesliga match on record (since 2004-05) against Bayern Munich, previously only VfL Wolfsburg managed this in May 2008 within that period. Anomaly. pic.twitter.com/VklOiinRCW

— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) February 15, 2025

Leverkusen failed to cut Bayern’s eight-point lead in the title race, but Alonso does not believe their hopes of retaining the crown are over.

“There are still a lot of points to be played for,” Alonso said. “We are still in all three competitions.”

Bayern coach Vincent Kompany, meanwhile, hailed his team’s defensive organisation as he said: “Today they earned the right to have the ball.

“They pressed really well, so we had to defend. I have to give a massive compliment to my team.”

Bayern, who were in action in midweek with a 2-1 win over Celtic in the Champions League play-off round in Glasgow, did not have an effort of any description for more than 70 minutes, despite having netted 65 goals in 21 league games prior to Saturday.

“This for us is a point that we can take home and focus on the next game,” Kompany said.

“Today they earned the right to put us under pressure. They did everything right. We will definitely learn from this game.”