Bayern Munich were shocked at home by Bochum, but they still strengthened their hand after Leverkusen lost again

After all the big moments, the daring comebacks, the thrilling crescendos, it felt like they had finally run out of road. Having both been substituted, Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong sat on the visitors’ bench at the Allianz Arena as time ticked down, a seat apart, both yelling, maybe at each other, maybe just into the ether. Finally Wirtz covered his face with his hands.

Of all the images of last week’s all-German Champions League last-16 match between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen, this was the one that stuck. Frustration is to be expected, particularly in the dying embers of a bad defeat against a domestic and European rival, but this was something that we have rarely seen from Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen. Setbacks happen, but he and his players have always maintained their poise, knowing that their path is the right one and that an answer is coming. This time? Maybe not.