Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports
Topics: Bayer Leverkusen, Granit Xhaka, Xabi Alonso
Josh Lawless
Granit Xhaka had an entire stadium fooled with a troll celebration after a stunning strike put Bayer Leverkusen ahead.
The former Arsenal man is enjoying a superb season with the Bundesliga leaders, who are vying to win their first ever league title under Xabi Alonso.
They are hosting Mainz at the Bay Arena this evening and Xhaka opened the scoring three minutes in.
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The ball dropped to him outside the area and the Swiss international curled in a beautiful effort.
But there was immediate concern amongst the fans, Alonso and the coaching staff, as Xhaka began clutching his hamstring.
However, it was all just an act and he proceeded to perform a dance celebration with Jeremie Frimpong.
There was a big collective sigh of relief, with Alonso appearing to inform one of his coaches that it was a prank from Xhaka and he wasn't injured.
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The bench then erupted into laughter, eventually seeing the funny side after looking extremely worried at first.
Dominik Kohr qualised for Mainz minutes later, though Leverkusen have a healthy lead at the top of the table after a recent Bayern Munich collapse under Thomas Tuchel.
They are still currently unbeaten in the league and Xhaka has been an integral part of the side.
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He joined from Arsenal for a fee of £21 million as he wanted a fresh challenge after seven seasons in North London.
"There were people who were against it, but it was clear to me that I would do it," Xhaka said on his move, as per Blick.
"My wife was initially against it. It was written that she was the reason why I wanted to come back to Germany, but that wasn’t the case.
“The football there was world class, the people were great, the city was very beautiful, but as a person and as a player I wanted a new challenge. And I can’t help it if Leverkusen is close to my wife’s hometown.”