Jose Mourinho's Roma remain on track for a second European trophy in two seasons after a goalless draw at Bayer Leverkusen.
Leverkusen's revival from the relegation spots to European trophy candidates under Alonso has been driven by the side's youthful array of attacking talent.
Bayer Leverkusen end the round in seventh on goal difference, with sixth place qualifying for the Europa Conference League.
Roma took the win despite having a host of players either out or barely fit to play, with stars Paulo Dybala and Georginio Wijnaldum only coming on in the final 15 minutes.
Bayern are a point behind leaders Borussia Dortmund and the two sides set to meet in the next round of games on April 1.
With the 'Klassiker' clash against Bayern Munich on the horizon, Borussia Dortmund will want to avoid a loss of focus against Cologne on Sunday with a title on the line
A 2-1 win away at Werder Bremen gave RB Leipzig their ninth victory in their past ten appearances on Saturday
Jeremie Frimpong scored twice to help Bayer Leverkusen to a conclusive 4-0 win over Schalke in Xabi Alonso's first game in charge on Saturday afternoon
Former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has been named as Bayer Leverkusen's new coach, replacing Gerardo Seoane after he was dismissed by the Bundesliga club on Wednesday
Bundesliga: A masterclass from Jamal Musiala, as well as a first goal in five games for Sadio Mane, helped Bayern Munich thump hapless Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 at home
Bayern Munich are winless since mid-August, an unfamiliar position for a club which is vying for 11 titles in a row, and currently sit fifth in the points table
UEFA Champions League: Late goals from Robert Andrich and Moussa Diaby helped Bayer Leverkusen register a 2-0 win against Atletico Madrid in Group B.
Bundesliga: Without striker Erling Haaland, Borussia Dortmund crashed to a 2-5 defeat vs Bayer Leverkusen.
Bundesliga: RB Leipzig suffered a blow ahead of Sunday's home game against Bayer Leverkusen with six more of their squad and staff having tested positive for Covid-19, including striker Yussuf Poulsen.
Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry both scored twice as Bayern Munich rampaged to a 5-1 win at Bayer Leverkusen to return to the top of the Bundesliga on Sunday.
Bayern Munich are the first Bundesliga team to beat Bayer Leverkusen this term, having also ended Wolfsburg's unbeaten league run this season in midweek.
Manchester United are eighth in the Premier League, and were recently knocked out of the UEFA Champions League. They face Real Sociedad in the Europa League's Last 32.
Bundesliga: Manuel Neuer bounced back after conceding six goals in Germany's crushing defeat by Spain in midweek with two brilliant first-half saves in quick succession for Bayern Munich, who drew to Werder Bremen.