Leverkusen stays top ahead of Bayern showdown
Bayer Leverkusen remains two points clear at the top of the Bundesliga after a brace from Nathan Tella ensured a 2-0 victory over bottom side Darmstadt ahead of next week's showdown with Bayern Munich.
Bayern's come-from-behind win over Borussia Moenchengladbach earlier in the day kept the pressure on Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen, but it didn't buckle and the top two remain will duke it out next weekend in what will be seen as a critical clash in the race for the title.
Leverkusen went in front in the 33rd minute when Alejandro Grimaldo curled in a cross from the left to the far post and unmarked Tella heading in.
Nigeria international Tella sealed the win in the 52nd minute, firing home a shot from Florian Wirtz's lay-off.
"For us it was a very good win and an equally good result," Leverkusen coach Alonso said.
"It is not easy winning in this stadium. We showed a good performance and had control of the game although Darmstadt had spaces in the first 20-25 minutes.
"We fixed that and did it better. It was a respectable performance from us and our attitude was good."
Leverkusen remains unbeaten in all of its matches so far across all competitions this season, 29 in total, a record that will be tested when it hosts Bayern, the defending Bundesliga champion, next week.
