Miracles in sport happen – but they aren’t common. Case in point: Bayer Leverkusen destroyed German heavyweights Bayern 3-0 to improve their chances of winning an unlikely Bundesliga title, while some 1,400 kilometres to the southwest, Real Madrid annihilated Girona and assumed control of La Liga race.Bayer Leverkusen are now unbeaten in each of their 31 games across all competitions this season and have opened up a five point gap at the top of the Bundesliga:◉ 27 wins◉ 4 draws◉ 0 defeats◎ 93 goals◎ 18 conceded◎ 15 clean sheetsIf they avoid defeat in their next… pic.twitter.com/r0bkOe1PBt— Squawka (@Squawka) February 10, 2024 In Germany, Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen opened up a five-point lead over Bayern with a commanding victory over Bayern, the club that hasn’t finished below the top position for a decade. The manner in which Werkelf played was hugely impressive – because the easy in which they controlled the game has usually been associated with Bayern for so long. Does this mean the tides is changing in Germany? Well, the season has a long way yet to go, but Alonso’s men don’t look like they’re getting their foot of the gas pedal.FRIMPONG MAKES IT 3 FOR LEVERKUSEN pic.twitter.com/p1YeUAbhJY— Dr Yash (@YashRMFC) February 10, 2024 Goals from Josip Stanisic, ironically a former Bayern player, and Alex Grimaldo in each half did the damage at BayArena, and Jeremie Frimpong added the third deep in added time to make the scoreline hurt the reigning champions even more. Thomas Tuchel’s grip on his job is getting weaker by the week. Don’t be surprised to see the former Chelsea head coach lose his job after overseeing such a miserable excuse for a performance in this crunch game. Despite enjoying most of the ball possession, the Bavarians failed to create any noteworthy chances going forward. On the other side, the Aspirin Makers made their chances count and used the ball wisely whenever they got the hold of it.In Spain, giants don’t fall quite so easily.Jude Bellingham has now scored as many goals for Real Madrid (20 in 29 games) as David Beckham (155 games).Doing the Preds justice. 👅 pic.twitter.com/xsPHC92XP5— Squawka (@Squawka) February 10, 2024 Real Madrid hammered La Liga leaders Girona and showed that being the league’s overachievers doesn’t get you a free ride at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid’s high-hitters, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham (twice) and Rodrygo Goes were all on target in an impeccable 4-0 success over the Catalan club.##NAJAVA_MECA_7863387##The top two teams in La Liga clashed in a match that promised to be closely contested. However, Los Blancos showed their class in the first half and dominated the game. Vini scored a stunning goal off the post just six minutes into the game, making it his sixth goal in six appearances. Bellingham added another goal to Madrid’s tally, rounding the goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga after receiving a wonderful outside-the-foot through pass from Vinicius. This was his 15th league goal, making him the top scorer in La Liga. Girona struggled to create chances and only managed one shot on goal before half-time.3-0 win for Leverkusen and 4-0 win VS Girona, this is Real Madrid heritage. pic.twitter.com/CZ3GrJ778C— V. (@ValvRmfc) February 10, 2024 In the second half, Madrid continued their domination, with the two scorers involved in sealing the victory. Vinícius danced his way through the Girona defence before unleashing a shot that was parried by Gazzaniga, only for Bellingham to tap home his 20th goal for the club. This made him the joint-highest-scoring Englishman in Real’s history. Unfortunately, Bellingham had to be substituted due to an injury he suffered in the first half.Despite the injury, Madrid continued to play attacking football. Rodrygo also got involved and scored his 50th goal for Real, putting the game beyond doubt. Substitute Arda Guler won a penalty just before stoppage time, which could have added more to the scoreline, but Joselu hit the post and missed the chance. The result puts Real in pole position to win their 36th league title, while Girona has a lot to ponder after being outplayed and outclassed in the game.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 24FridayCadiz – Real Betis 0-2 (0-1)/Willian Jose 6, Fornals 46/SaturdayAlaves – Villarreal 1-1 (1-1)/Omorodion 25 – Cuenca 42/Real Sociedad – Osasuna 0-1 (0-0)/Budimir 49/Real Madrid – Girona 4-0 (2-0)/Vini 6, Bellingham 35, 54, Rodrygo 61/23:00: (2.70) Las Palmas (3.15) Valencia (2.95)Sunday16:00: (2.25) Getafe (3.20) Celta (3.70)18:15: (2.35) Mallorca (3.10) Rayo Vallecano (3.30)20:30: (3.50) Sevilla (3.45) Atl.Madrid (2.10)23:00: (1.20) Barcelona (7.25) Granada (12.0)Monday21:00: (4.90) Almeria (3.60) Ath.Bilbao (1.75)***odds are subject to change***
BUNDESLIGA – MATCHDAY 21FridayBorussia Dortmund – Freiburg 3-0 (2-0)/Malen 16, 45+7, Fullgrug 87/SaturdayAugsburg – RB Leipzig 2-2 (1-1)/Tietz 35, Demirovic 60 – Openda 39, Sesko 52/Eintracht Frankfurt – Bochum 1-1 (1-1)/Marmoush 14 – Broschinski 17/Union Berlin – Wolfsburg in progressWerder – Heidenheim 1-2 (1-2)/Schmid 19 – Maloney 12, Beste 18/Bayer Leverkusen – Bayern 3-0 (1-0)/Stanisic 18, Grimaldo 50, Frimpong 90+5/Sunday17:30: (1.45) Stuttgart (4.40) Mainz (7.25)19:30: (1.90) Hoffenheim (3.70) Koln (4.40)***odds are subject to change***