Xabi Alonso marks a successful year in charge at Bayer Leverkusen ahead of Rhine derby with Cologne
Associated PressDUESSELDORF, Germany — From the relegation zone to the top of the standings. Alonso marked his first anniversary at the German club on Thursday and has a game against local rival Cologne on Sunday, another test of Leverkusen’s credentials to challenge Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga title. One year later, Leverkusen is in first place after climbing to the top of the standings last week with a 3-0 win over Mainz as Bayern dropped points in a 2-2 draw with Leipzig. Sunday’s game at home to Cologne — called the Rhine derby because of the river running between Leverkusen and Cologne — looks deceptively easy in the standings but could prove anything but. Alonso’s record over the last year has fueled speculation he could be a contender to take over at his old club Real Madrid when Carlo Ancelotti’s contract runs out at the end of the season.