Champions Bayern Munich crashed to a 3-2 loss at VfL Bochum on Sunday for a third straight defeat in all competitions that saw them drop eight points behind Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

Goals from Jeremie Frimpong and Amine Adli earned Leverkusen a 2-1 win at Heidenheim on Saturday, sending Xabi Alonso's Bundesliga leaders eight points clear of Bayern Munich in second.

"One thing is the contract, the other is how comfortable he feels. He knows we will have a top team next year."

"I am Xabi Alonso, I will be in charge of Liverpool next season, but I am short of money for my flights to Liverpool," said the message, written in Thai.

Bayer Leverkusen were held to a goalless draw at home to Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday as their lead over injury-hit Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga was cut to two points.

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso on Friday played down speculation he could replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool in the summer, saying: "what comes next, I don't know".

Initially seen as dark horses, Bayer Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso have stormed out of the blocks in the 2023-24 Bundesliga season, etching their name in the record books with some stellar displays so far.

Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen have signed forward Nathan Tella on a five-year deal from Championship side Southampton, both clubs said on Sunday.

Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has extended his contract by two years to 2026, the Bundesliga club announced on Friday.

Bayer Leverkusen eased into the Europa League semi-finals after crushing hosts Union Saint-Gilloise of Belgium 4-1 on Thursday for a 5-2 aggregate win that stretched their unbeaten run to 12 straight matches across all competitions.

Bayer Leverkusen left it late but pulled off a 2-0 win at home to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday to kickstart their Champions League campaign and ease the pressure on coach Gerardo Seoane.

Atletico Madrid beat hosts Bayer Leverkusen 4-2 in a topsy-turvy encounter to take a firm handle on their Champions League round-of-16 tie ahead of the return leg in Spain next month.

Hoffenheim's Germany international Kevin Volland has signed a five-year deal with Bayer Leverkusen, the two clubs announced on Friday.

Uncapped midfielders Joshua Kimmich and Julian Brandt are included in Germany's provisional 27-man squad for next month's European championships in France.

Luis Suarez scored either side of a Neymar double as Barcelona cruised to a 3-0 Champions League victory over BATE at Camp Nou.

Barcelona's reliance on Lionel Messi should not be considered a bad thing, according to former centre-back Patrik Andersson.

Barcelona star Neymar has insisted that he will sign a new contract at Camp Nou amid interest from Manchester United.

Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has labelled Barcelona star Lionel Messi the opponent he has had the most difficulty facing.

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez says he feels "responsibility" to try and compensate for the loss of Lionel Messi during his injury layoff.

A Barcelona side without the injured Lionel Messi head to face Sevilla at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday, desperate to move back to the summit of La Liga.