Leverkusen are title favourites for Matthäus after late, late win
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Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen have a realistic chance of winning three trophies this season, according to Germany's most capped player Lothar Matthäus.
Coach Xabi Alonso's team are favourites in the Bundesliga, the German Cup and the Europa League, he told TV channel Sky after Leverkusen's late 1-0 win at Augsburg in the German top flight on Saturday.
They are top of the table and unbeaten at the halfway point, leading champions Bayern Munich by four points, although the Bavarians have a game in hand later this month and visit Leverkusen in February.
"Leverkusen have strengthened accordingly. Not just with young players, but also with experience," added the 62-year-old Matthäus.
"I said it before the season: If Bayern want to become champions, then they have to beat Leverkusen."
He praised former Bayern midfielder Alonso, who has taken Leverkusen from the bottom to the top since taking over in October 2022 in his first major coaching job.
"The coach has a clear concept and an intelligent approach," Matthäus said.
Leverkusen face VfB Stuttgart in the quarter-finals of the German Cup and have already qualified for the last 16 of the Europa League.
