Leverkusen battle past Heidenheim to equal record unbeaten run

HEIDENHEIM, Germany :Bayer Leverkusen scored in each half to battle past hosts Heidenheim 2-1 on Saturday and open up an eight-point gap at the top of the table as they equalled a German record by going 32 matches unbeaten in all competitions.

The visitors, who have never won a Bundesliga title, snatched the lead on the stroke of halftime when Jeremie Frimpong slotted home a deflected shot.

Leverkusen, whose last major trophy was the 1993 German Cup, had chances to score again and Germany international Florian Wirtz hit the crossbar in the 77th minute.

He made soon amends, however, delivering a superb assist for Amine Adli to make it 2-0. Heidenheim reduced the deficit in the 87th through Tim Kleindienst but could not find an equaliser.

Xabi Alonso's team have not lost a match this season in domestic and European competitions, equalling Bayern Munich's record run of 32 unbeaten matches from 2020.

"It was not difficult for us to play well after last week," Alonso said, in reference to his team's 3-0 win over Bayern Munich.

"We were ready to do it today and I liked that. The players are ready not just for the top games but they were alert and motivated today as well."

"I am not going to celebrate my 500 days in this post," said the Spaniard. "I am satisfied with the game and the performance and the result. We are in a good situation, we will keep going and we will take it one game at a time."

Leverkusen, who have won 28 and drawn four matches in all competitions, head the Bundesliga standings on 58 points, eight ahead of Bayern who play VfL Bochum on Sunday.

Heidenheim, whose eight-game unbeaten run in the league came to an end, dropped to 10th.