Granit Xhaka plays a practical joke on Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso after scoring a screaming goal

<p>Everyone is still in awe of Bayer Leverkusen’s incredible 2023–24 season as the team captained by Xabi Alonso increased their advantage over 11-time reigning champion Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga table.</p>
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<p>On Saturday, February 24, Leverkusen played host to Mainz, a team that was in danger of relegation. Thanks to goals from former Arsenal player Granit Xhaka and his midfield partner Robert Andrich, Leverkusen emerged victorious.</p>
<p>In the third minute, Xhaka scored a goal that was very spectacular, giving the home team the perfect start. Their happiness was short-lived, however, as Dominik Kohr, a center defender for Mainz, equalized the score in the seventh minute. Both teams had opportunities, but it was Andrich’s shot in the 68th minute that gave Leverkusen a 2-1 lead by forcing Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentner to make an error.</p>
<p>Even though Xhaka’s goal from 25 yards out was stunning, his goal celebration earned even more praise. The supporters of Bayer Leverkusen and coach Xabi Alonso may have had a minor heart attack at that time in the game because it was so amusing.</p>
<p>Xhaka’s left hamstring strain after the goal turned Xabi Alonso and his staff’s quick elation into terror. Given that Xhaka is one of the most important parts of Alonso’s very well-oiled Bayer Leverkusen machine, it appeared like a pricey trade-off for the prospects.</p>
<p>The players, particularly Jeremie Frimpong, the right wing-back, joined in on the fun and mimicked Xhaka’s goal celebration, although they didn’t seem quite as worried.</p>
<p>Alonso was relieved on the sidelines when Xhaka abandoned the act and revealed it was a joke after a few seconds. The Swiss midfielder seemed to be in pain, prompting the team’s physiotherapists to hurry onto the field. However, the former Arsenal player pulled a happy trick on the backroom staff.</p>
<p>“I was nervous because I knew Granit had done it in training before.” In the post-match news conference, Alonso explained the goal celebration, saying, “The physio came to me, but I just said, ‘Relax.’”</p>
<p>Bayern Munich’s German record of 32 undefeated games was broken by Bayer Leverkusen, who won their 19th league game. With 33 games remaining in the season without a loss, Die Schwarzroten are firmly on track to win the Bundesliga and maintain their ambitions of taking home the DFB-Pokal and the UEFA Europa League.</p>