Bayer Leverkusen Secures First Bundesliga Title in Historic Victory; Below are some of the interesting Stats from their season so far
Bayer Leverkusen has etched their name in German football history by clinching their inaugural Bundesliga title, achieving this milestone with an emphatic 5-0 triumph over Werder Bremen. The jubilant scenes at BayArena marked a remarkable journey under the stewardship of Xabi Alonso.
Alonso’s leadership steered Leverkusen to their league triumph with five games remaining, accumulating an impressive 79 points, leaving nearest competitors Bayern Munich trailing by 16 points with only 15 points left to contest.
Bayer Leverkusen are champions of Germany for the first time in their 120-year history.
This achievement is a testament to Alonso’s impact, especially considering his appointment in October 2022 when the club was languishing near the bottom of the table.
The victory not only ends Bayern’s stranglehold on the league, with 11 consecutive titles, but it also propels Leverkusen into contention for a treble, with strong showings in the Europa League and German Cup.
Leverkusen’s dominance this season has been undeniable, remaining unbeaten in all competitions, winning 25 out of 29 matches and drawing the remaining four. Their remarkable run extends to 43 games, poised to break a longstanding record if they maintain this form until the season’s end.
In 43 competitive matches this season, Leverkusen have won 38 times and drawn five, scoring 123 times and conceding just 31.
Their last defeat was on 27 May 2023.
Sunday’s win over Werder Bremen saw Leverkusen set a new record for longest unbeaten starts to a season in the Bundesliga.
The previous record was Bayern’s 28-game run in Pep Guardiola’s maiden campaign in charge in 2013-14.
Leverkusen have finished runners-up in the Bundesliga five times, but have surely shrugged off the ‘Neverkusen’ tag for good after winning the Bundesliga title.
Sunday’s success was their first trophy since they lifted the German Cup in 1993, beating Hertha Berlin 1-0.
Notably, Leverkusen’s success is a significant turnaround from their past near-misses, shedding the ‘Neverkusen’ tag, which stemmed from their close calls in previous campaigns.
The club’s resurgence has been fueled by key players like Granit Xhaka, Victor Boniface, and Florian Wirtz, complemented by Alonso’s astute coaching methods.
Granit Xhaka scored Leverkusen’s second goal against Werder Bremen.
It was only his second Bundesliga goal since signing from Arsenal last summer for £21.4m, but the Switzerland midfielder’s experience has proved pivotal in their quest for honours.
Nigerian striker Victor Boniface scored his 11th league goal of the season on Sunday, while Germany forward Florian Wirtz came off the bench to score a second-half hat-trick.
Wirtz is the first player to score a Bundesliga hat-trick after coming off the bench since Erling Haaland for Borussia Dortmund in 2020.
Alex Grimaldo (9) and Jeremie Frimpong (8) have chipped in with vital goals too, while Alonso’s coaching methods have also been praised.
The 42-year-old Spaniard, a three-time Bundesliga champion with Bayern Munich and Champions League winner at Real Madrid as a player, has been linked with former clubs Liverpool and Bayern as they seek to appoint new managers in the summer.
Alonso, however, opted to stay at Leverkusen, where he is adored by supporters.
Alonso’s decision to stay at Leverkusen despite interest from other clubs underscores his commitment to the team and his special bond with the fans, as evidenced by the post-match celebration playing “Eviva Espana” in his honor.
The historic Bundesliga win has ushered in a new era for Bayer Leverkusen, marking their first major trophy since 1993 and solidifying their status as formidable contenders in German football.
