Bayer Leverkusen are the new champions of Germany. Unexpected, underrated, and yet champions with style for the first time in their history. Leverkusen have won the German Bundesliga.
Founded in 1904, the Red and Blacks gained promotion to the top flight 75 years later and have since cemented their place in the Bundesliga.
However, they have mostly played for pride throughout their years in the league but for a few occasions where they seemed to fight for the jackpot. Leverkusen have finished five times as runners-up in their history prior to this season, with the 2001/02 season being one of their best attempts.
However, the introduction of one man gave the team a different look. Direction, precision, tactical balance and a sense of urgency in competing for silverware. His name? Xabi Alonso.
Leverkusen came calling for Alonso in 2022. it was during a difficult period at the club, as a
poor start to the 2022/2023 campaign led to the exit of coach Gerardo Seoan. Seoan supervised Leverkusen’s worst start to a campaign since 1979, as the new German champions found themselves in the drop zone at the time.
Alonso however took the mantle, and managed to end the 2022/23 season in 6th place and booked European qualification.
Halting Bayern Munich’s 11-year reign as champions of Germany required significant effort, prompting Alonso to make strategic signings before the season commenced. He bolstered the squad by acquiring Victor Boniface, Granit Xhaka, Jonas Hofmann, and Álex Grimaldo. These additions were carefully chosen to enhance control and provide width, aligning seamlessly with Alonso’s tactical blueprint.
This was madness…
“The coach tried to drench me, Edmond Tapsoba tried to drench me. I’ve come here to hide!”
A jubilant Jeremie Frimpong joined me / leaned on me as he celebrated Bayer Leverkusen’s first ever title. @ESPNFC pic.twitter.com/KYVjRdNcBv
— Archie Rhind-Tutt (@archiert1) April 14, 2024
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Xabi Alonso’s runaway Bundesliga leaders have extended the new German record for successive competitive matches without a defeat to 43 games in 2023/24 to earn them the Bundesliga title, surpassing Hansi Flick’s Bayern Munich sextuple-winning team of the 2019/2020 season.
Their victory over Werder Bremen means Leverkusen now hold the longest unbeaten start to a season (29 games) after their stunning 5-0 win
Leverkusen’s journey to glory was marked by several defining moments. Looking back at their campaign after 29 matchdays, here are five top deciding moments that led them to making history.
Werder Bremen 0-3 Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen earlier clinched a significant victory over Werder Bremen securing a 3-0 win to go two points clear at the top on matchday 12 in November. That game was one of their best performances marking the beginning of a title charge.
Little did they anticipate that one of their greatest moments would unfold on Matchday 29, in a reverse fixture against Bremen, the same opponents they faced earlier in the season.
Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 Bayern Munich
Following a 2-2 draw at the Allianz arena in the first leg, Leverkusen knew they had one job to do against the Bayern Munich side who looked to close the gap at the top on matchday 21.
Many expected it to be close like the first leg. However, Thomas Tuchel’s side saw themselves outplayed by the new champions, and Alonso’s team did well to edge Bayern Munich in a 3-0 win to go five points clear at the summit.
FC Koln 0-2 Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen increased their advantage to 10 points clear of the Bavarians in the title race with a 2-0 win over FC Koln as Bayern Munich drew Freiburg 2-2 on Matchday 24.
10 points meant that Leverkusen began to have a realistic chance at winning the title as they showed consistency and conviction in many aspects of their game.
Two key defensive players in Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo proved their worth and found the back of the net to give Alonso’s side the much-needed win with confidence.
Umiom Berlin 0-1 Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen secured a narrow win against Union Berlin on matchday 28 to go 16 points clear of Bayern Munich who lost to Heidenheim 3-2 on the same matchday. Leverkusen’s win was courtesy of a penalty from Florian Wirtz.
The win put Alonso’s side one victory away from the Bundesliga title, and there and then their dream seemed more realistic ahead of Matchday 29.
Bayer Leverkusen 5-0 Werder Bremen
A stunning 5-0 performance at the BayArena saw a truly remarkable feeling explode throughout the stadium, as the tears and joyous celebrations continued all over the arena for both players and the fans.
Victor Boniface opened the scoring on the day from the penalty spot for Bayer Leverkusen, before Granit Xhaka grabbed their second, with youngster Florian Wirtz also earning himself a scintillating hattrick on the historic day.
It doesn’t end there for them, they have the DFB Pokal final and the Europa League quarter-final return leg against West Ham to compete in with a 2-0 advantage, and Alonso is just four games away from a historic treble.
Alonso’s astute leadership, coupled with key signings and standout performances, propelled Leverkusen to Bundesliga glory after 120 years of striving for the prize. As they pursue further success in the DFB Pokal final and Europa League, Leverkusen’s triumph stands as a testament to their perseverance and determination.