Bayer Leverkusen star Granit Xhaka has never been one to back down with fans
The Swiss star was caught in a heated row after losing 2-1 to Arminia Bielefeld
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By BEN WILLCOCKS
Published: 18:39 EDT, 1 April 2025 | Updated: 18:39 EDT, 1 April 2025
Granit Xhaka was caught in a furious altercation with Bayer Leverkusen fans after his side suffered a shock 2-1 defeat against third-tier German club Arminia Bielefeld.
Leverkusen, who won the German Cup last season under Xabi Alonso, have failed to defend their crown after being eliminated from the competition in stunning circumstances on Tuesday night.
Despite taking the lead through Jonathan Tah in the 17th minute, Xhaka and his team found themselves 2-1 behind at the break following goals from Marius Worl and Maximilian Grosser.
The reigning Bundesliga champions pushed for an equaliser in the second half but came up empty-handed to the frustration of their supporters — and Xhaka felt the full force of their fury at full-time after Leverkusen's shock elimination was confirmed.
While the aftermath of Leverkusen's defeat was being broadcast on German outlet ARD, cameras panned towards the Switzerland international who was pointing and gesticulating in a heated confrontation with a group of supporters.
The 32-year-old played the full 90 minutes for Bayer Leverkusen on the night, partnering Robert Andrich and Exequiel Palacios in the engine room.
Granit Xhaka was caught in a furious altercation with Bayer Leverkusen fans on Tuesday night
His Bayer Leverkusen side suffered a shock 2-1 defeat in the German Cup to Arminia Bielefeld
Third-tier minnows Arminia Bielefeld celebrated jubilantly after staging the upset on Tuesday
Xhaka, who played for Arsenal in the Premier League between 2016 and 2023, has shown he is not one to back down from altercations with fans over the years.
Back in 2019, Xhaka made headlines by directing foul language towards Arsenal supporters.
He apologised for telling Gunners fans to 'f*** off' after being jeered off the pitch by Arsenal supporters during a draw against Roy Hodgson's Crystal Palace.
So far, Xhaka's move to Bayer Leverkusen has been an overwhelming success, with the Swiss midfielder playing a crucial role in the club's resurgence under Alonso.
Xhaka played a remarkable 50 games across all competitions last campaign as Leverkusen won the domestic double, becoming the first team to complete an entire Bundesliga season without defeat.
Despite currently sitting six points worse off than Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich with seven games to go, Xhaka and his team-mates will be hoping to claw back ground and claim a second domestic title, with only the German top flight to play for now following their shock exit from the DFB-Pokal.
Xhaka took a swipe at Premier League referee Michael Oliver earlier this month after the English official awarded Bayern Munich a penalty during the first leg of their 5-0 aggregate win over Leverkusen in the Champions League round of 16.
Furious by the penalty which Harry Kane converted, Xhaka vented his anger to the media and claimed it was 'disappointing to see'.
Xhaka did not shy away from confrontation with fans during his time at Arsenal, directing foul language towards Gunners supporters after being jeered off the pitch back in 2019 (above)
Xhaka took a swipe at referee Michael Oliver (right) earlier this month and criticised his decision to awarded Bayern Munich a penalty during their defeat in the Champions League
'In the Premier League, he doesn't give that. I spent seven years there and know Michael. I'm convinced he wouldn't whistle it in the Premier League,' Xhaka told reporters after the game.
'There are so many blocks in the Premier League that today it was nothing. It's a bit disappointing from him to whistle such a penalty at this level and probably decide the game. If you give a penalty for every block, there would be so many penalties every game.'
Xhaka and Leverkusen will look to put their disappointing German Cup exit behind them when they take on Heidenheim away in the Bundesliga on Saturday.