Bayer Leverkusen's away-day master Xabi Alonso breaks Udo Lattek record
Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso continues to set high standards in the Bundesliga with the Werkself tactician previously soaring past legendary coach Udo Lattek's feat of 27 consecutive away games without defeat in Germany's top flight.
And you can now make that 30 games without loss away from home for Alonso, with Leverkusen producing a sensational comeback against VfB Stuttgart to win what at one stage looked a desperate cause by 4-3 on Matchday 26. The overall club record is now in sight for the Werkself too, with Bayern Munich's current best of 33 away wins on the spin getting ever closer.
Former Spain international Alonso had already equalled Lattek's milestone in Matchday 22's scoreless draw at Wolfsburg, before subsequently taking the record for himself in a 2-0 win at Holstein Kiel – his 28th away game without defeat. It once again highlights the magnitude of Alonso's phenomenal success at the Bayer 04 helm since taking up the reins at the club in October 2022.
As one of football's most decorated coaches after winning 15 major trophies, Lattek counted eight Bundesliga title triumphs - six while in charge of Bayern and a further two with Borussia Mönchengladbach - among his haul of silverware. The Cologne native and former Leverkusen striker achieved his 27 away-game unbeaten sequence in the Bundesliga during a combined run at the helms of Bayern and Schalke between 1985 and 1992.
Alonso memorably led Leverkusen to a Bundesliga and DFB Cup double last season, with the Werkself going unbeaten in both competitions, a feat never before seen in Germany.
The club also broke Benfica's previous European record for unbeaten games in continental competition which stood at 48, but now reads 51 matches thanks to Leverkusen and Alonso. In all, the North Rhine-Westphalia-based side lost just once in 53 competitive matches last term.
Alonso and and his title chasers will have a chance to add to their away-day heroics in their next game on the road at Heidenheim on 5 April.
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