Alonso praises almost perfect show against Bayern
Bayer Leverkusen played a near-perfect game in its 0-0 draw against Bayern Munich and the only thing missing was a goal to crown that "fantastic" performance, coach Xabi Alonso said.
The defending champion took control from the start and twice hit the woodwork midway through the first half, giving the visitors little breathing space with its high pressing game.
Since data collection began in 2004-2005, Leverkusen also became one of just two teams to not concede a single shot on target against Bayern in a Bundesliga match, Wolfsburg previously accomplishing that feat in 2008.
"We have the feeling that we played a fantastic game," Alonso said after the match. "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.
Leverkusen failed to cut Bayern's eight-point lead in the title race, but Alonso does not believe its 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, which was in action in midweek with a 2-1 win over Celtic in the UEFA 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 the Leverkusen match.
"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."
