Bayer Leverkusen clinches their maiden Bundesliga title, putting an end to Bayern Munich’s dominant reign

Leverkusen secures a resounding 5-0 victory against Werder Bremen, claiming the coveted Bundesliga title with five games remaining. Their triumph marks the end of Bayern Munich’s remarkable streak of 11 consecutive league championships.

Bayer Leverkusen, undefeated throughout the season, clinches their inaugural Bundesliga title with a commanding 5-0 win against Werder Bremen, shattering Bayern Munich’s 11-year stronghold on the league.

Led by Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen has set a new league record of 29 consecutive matches without defeat this season, culminating in their first trophy since 1993. With a comfortable 16-point lead over Bayern and five matches remaining, they have firmly established their dominance in German football.

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Bayer Leverkusen’s successful season continues as they have the opportunity to add more titles to their collection. They have reached the German Cup final and the Europa League quarterfinals, where they currently hold a 2-0 first-leg advantage over West Ham United.

Leverkusen left nothing to chance in their pursuit of the Bundesliga title, securing it at the first opportunity. Florian Wirtz played a pivotal role, scoring a hat trick in a decisive victory that extended their unbeaten streak to an impressive 43 games across all competitions this season.

Wirtz, the Germany international, expressed his disbelief at the team’s achievements, stating that he needs some time in the changing room to fully comprehend the magnitude of their success. Reflecting on the contrast with the previous season, he emphasized how unimaginable this triumph seemed back then.

Xabi Alonso, who took charge as coach when Leverkusen was in the relegation zone in October 2022, reflected on the significance of ending Bayern Munich’s dominance. He believes that another team winning the Bundesliga is beneficial for the league and German football as a whole. Alonso, a former Bayern player and three-time Bundesliga champion, expressed great joy and emphasized the need to savor the moment. He acknowledged that it will take time for the team to fully grasp their achievements but highlighted the importance of celebrating their success now while looking ahead to what lies ahead in terms of potential future trophies.

The moment Bayer Leverkusen fans stormed the pitch after WINNING their first ever Bundesliga…

👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/9Ee6TwZL3y

— george (@StokeyyG2) April 14, 2024

In a momentous Bundesliga match, Victor Boniface made his return to Leverkusen’s starting lineup after a lengthy injury spell since December. He quickly calmed Leverkusen’s nerves by converting a penalty kick to open the scoring. The team’s confidence grew further when Granit Xhaka unleashed a remarkable long-range strike, extending the lead to 2-0 with thirty minutes remaining.

Bremen struggled to recover from the setback, and Leverkusen took advantage. Substitute Florian Wirtz mirrored Xhaka’s audacious goal with a similar long-range effort, adding to the tally. Wirtz then capitalized on a counterattack in the 83rd minute to complete his brace, before sealing the game with his first-ever career hat trick.

The excitement reached a fever pitch as passionate fans stormed the field upon Leverkusen’s fourth goal, causing a temporary delay. The final moments were played amidst a thick red smoke from supporters’ pyrotechnics, while players on the Leverkusen bench joined in the celebration, clapping, dancing, and embracing each other.

When Leverkusen scored their fifth goal in the 90th minute, an even larger crowd of fans flooded the field, culminating in a chaotic yet joyous atmosphere. Amidst the confusion and jubilation, the referee eventually called an end to the game. Thousands of ecstatic supporters filled the field, proudly waving flags, flares, and cardboard replicas of the Bundesliga trophy.

This long-awaited title victory finally shattered Leverkusen’s reputation as perennial runners-up, following five second-place finishes in the league and one in the Champions League. The achievement now shines a spotlight on the industrial city of Leverkusen, with its population of just under 170,000, which had been overshadowed by larger and more renowned neighbors.

As the club’s pre-match song resonates, “Not in Cologne and Dusseldorf, no, we’re at home here.” Leverkusen’s roots trace back 120 years as a team for workers at the Bayer pharmaceutical giant, making it a rare exception in Germany’s football landscape, where most clubs adhere to the “50+1 rule,” granting majority control to members.