Bayer Leverkusen: Xabi Alonso’s Men Dethrone Bayern Munich, Win 1st Ever Bundesliga in Style

Bayer Leverkusen: Xabi Alonso’s Men Dethrone Bayern Munich, Win 1st Ever Bundesliga in Style

Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe
April 14, 2024 at 5:23 PM
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Bayer Leverkusen logo
Bayer Leverkusen
Germany
34
Bundesliga logo
GER Bundesliga
Germany
Werder Bremen logo
Werder Bremen
Germany
33
Victor Okoh Boniface logo
V. O. Boniface
Bayer Leverkusen logoFNigeria logo
Florian Wirtz logo
F. Wirtz
Bayer Leverkusen logoMGermany logo
Granit Xhaka logo
G. Xhaka
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  • Bayer Leverkusen became German champions for the first time in their history
  • The Black and Reds chalked this feat after beating Werder Bremen on Sunday
  • Aside from winning the Bundesliga, Leverkusen continued their unbeaten run

Bayer Leverkusen's extraordinary season reached its climax on Sunday, April 14, as the Black and Reds triumphed over Werder Bremen to secure the 2023–24 Bundesliga title with five games remaining.

Powered by an almost miraculous unbeaten streak across all competitions, Xabi Alonso's charges clinched the German championship for the first time in the club's history.

Bayer Leverkusen, fans, Bundesliga, German title, history, Werder Bremen, Victor Boniface, Florian Wirtz.
Bayer Leverkusen clinched their maiden German Bundesliga title after a resounding win against Werder Bremen. Photos by ANP and Ina Fassbender.
Source: Getty Images

Along the way, they established a new Bundesliga record by remaining undefeated in 29 consecutive games from the beginning of the season.

This historic achievement marks the end of Bayern Munich's dominance in the German top flight.

According to The Independent, the Bavarian giants had previously claimed an impressive 11 successive Bundesliga titles since Borussia Dortmund's triumph in the 2011–12 season.

Leverkusen thump Bremen to win Bundesliga

With only one thing in mind, the runaway league leaders began the game like a house on fire, and they duly went in front when Nigerian forward Victor Boniface scored from the spot.

Boniface's second goal in his last two games across all competitions opened the floodgates as former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka doubled the lead on the hour mark.

Wonderkid Florian Wirtz completed a second-half hat-trick, sending the over 30,000 crowd at the Bay Arena and many more from outside the stadium into a frenzy when he notched the third, fourth and fifth goals, as noted by MARCA.

Leverkusen's long journey to historic season

Entrusting the helm to a rookie manager in Xabi Alonso was a bold move by Die Werkself. However, the young tactician has proven himself worthy of the challenge, delivering something close to perfect.

When Alonso took over in October 2022, Leverkusen found themselves in the relegation zone. Now, after winning the Bundesliga, they are on track for an extraordinary treble this season.

They've secured a spot in the German Cup final against second-tier side Kaiserslautern and have taken a significant step towards success in the Europa League, winning the first leg of their quarter-final against West Ham 2-0.

The Spaniard, who previously clinched the Bundesliga title as a player with Bayern Munich, has orchestrated the end of his former club's dominance in Germany.

His dynamic style of play, characterised by energetic pressing and an unwavering determination, has been instrumental in Leverkusen's resurgence.

In the 2001/2002 season, Bayer Leverkusen narrowly missed out on winning three major trophies.

They finished just one point behind Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga and faced defeat in both the DFB Cup final against Schalke and the UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid.

According to the Bundesliga official website, this led to the club being labelled as 'Neverkusen' and 'Eternal Bridesmaids.'

However, under Xabi's leadership, Leverkusen has shed those tags and transformed into 'Treblekusen,' poised for a historic achievement.

Alonso insists Leverkusen isn't 'finished' yet

Sports Brief also reported that Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso expressed that his undefeated team is not finished yet, despite clinching their inaugural league title on Sunday and aiming for a treble this season.

Leverkusen's commanding 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen, highlighted by Florian Wirtz's second-half hat-trick, secured their first-ever Bundesliga championship in 120 years.

Additionally, Leverkusen has progressed to the German Cup final and holds a 2-0 advantage after the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final against West Ham, with the return leg scheduled for Thursday.

Alonso emphasised that while they have accomplished a significant milestone, they remain focused on their remaining objectives, with further considerations to be made on Tuesday.

Authors
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe photo
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe is a Ligue 1, Bundesliga, and La Liga editor with five-year experience. He previously worked with Sports Corna and 360SportsGH.
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