Xabi Alonso believed Bayer Leverkusen's Bundesliga win over Borussia Dortmund on Friday showed the reigning champions' improved discipline.
Leverkusen took the lead with just 24 seconds on the clock through Nathan Tella's early strike before Patrik Schick doubled their lead in the eighth minute.
Although Jamie Gittens halved the deficit, Schick grabbed his brace shortly afterwards to cap a hectic opening period at the Westfalenstadion.
For the first time since March 2000 (9-1 against Ulm), Leverkusen scored three times in the first 19 minutes of an away match in the Bundesliga.
Serhou Guirassy's late penalty threatened a nerve-wracking ending for Alonso's side, but they held on and moved to within a point of leaders Bayern Munich in the table.
Leverkusen had to fight for the win, registering just one shot on target in the second half, while Dortmund were on the rise to find an equalizer late in the match.
But Alonso believed his team's performance highlighted their development as a side during a season that had started poorly.
“We are very satisfied with the performance and with the victory,” Alonso told a news conference.
“To come here and win with such a serious performance means that our development is important. A good start to the year.”
Leverkusen has now won six consecutive Bundesliga games, while also extending his club record unbeaten away league run to 25 games (19 won, six drawn).
Their triumph also ended Dortmund's unbeaten record this season, leaving Nuri Sahin's side in sixth place ahead of the rest of the weekend's action.
“We did the work at the beginning (of the race) and then we controlled it,” Alonso added.
“We did well with the ball, but we also did very well without the ball. We didn't concede much.
“It is a development of our game that we can compete in this way, to play here with this discipline against a top team in Europe.”
Comments