James Ellingworth, Associated Press
20 minutes ago
Bayer 04 Leverkusen fans cheer on their team before the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and FC Augsburg at BayArena on Saturday, May 18, 2024 in Leverkusen, Germany. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
LEVERKUSEN, Germany (AP) – With just 30 minutes left in the Bundesliga season, Bayer Leverkusen was nervous.
Mid-table visitors Augsburg cut Leverkusen's lead in half. Leverkusen's unbeaten run in the Bundesliga was at stake on Saturday. Late winning goals have become a trademark this season, but they looked vulnerable to a comeback.
However, the excitement and nerves were short-lived as Leverkusen won 2-1 and ended their historic season.
Xabi Alonso's team became the first team in history to finish all Bundesliga games unbeaten, with 28 wins, 6 draws and no losses.
At the final whistle, a chant of “Hallelujah” played over the BayArena's PA system, and a plane carried a “German Champion” banner over the stadium as fans applauded the players. A capacity crowd of 30,000 people stood on their feet as Leverkusen players received their first league championship medals in the club's history.
Alonso, who will take over at relegation-placed Leverkusen in October 2022, kicked the air as he accepted his medal, causing a roar from the crowd. He has already committed to staying next season following interest from Bayern Munich.
“It was a special season that we achieved, not only in Germany but also in Europe,” said Alonso. “We remember the Invincibles (Arsenal in 2003-2004) in the Premier League and Juventus (2011-12 in Italian Serie A), so we deserve to be part of the history of European football.”
Goalie Lukas Hradecki went up to the stands and handed the trophy to a fan who held it up. When Alonso came up with him, he led the club's chant into the microphone.
The retro shirts worn by fans around the Bay Arena include German striker Rudi Völler, Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal, Mexican forward Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, and now Arsenal It featured the names of past greats from the club, including local talent Kai Havertz.
These players have won some of the biggest awards in world football, but none of them have ever won a trophy with Leverkusen. Before Alonso's arrival, the club was a regular runner-up in German football and was nicknamed “Neverkusen”.
Alonso and his team can add two more titles next week with the Europa League final against Atalanta in Dublin on Wednesday and the German Cup final against Kaiserslautern next weekend.
Alonso was asked whether Leverkusen's Bundesliga credentials were still established. “I believe in it, but I need more time. I don't have much time right now,” he said. “We have our next big goal for tomorrow.”
The undefeated season is even more remarkable considering Bayern's decade-long dominance on the field and financial advantage over all of their German rivals. Alonso's title winners are a mix of up-and-coming talent and players who have found new energy under his leadership.
There is midfielder Granit Xhaka, who had an uneasy relationship with Arsenal fans before arriving at Leverkusen last year. Local attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz was once touted as the new Havertz, even better. Strikers Patrick Schick and Victor Boniface have overcome injuries to score important goals this season.
Even before kickoff, a live band played club anthems, creating a party atmosphere. With two finals ahead, Alonso fielded a near-full squad. Xhaka and Wirtz were on the bench.
For a while everything seemed to be under control. Bonifati scored after a goalkeeper error, and tough-tackling midfielder Robert Andrich made it 2-0 with a flair backheel finish. Then the nerves set in.
Augsburg's Mert Kömür pulled one back with a curling shot, and moments later his cross narrowly missed striker Ermedin Demirovic and almost equalized.
However, Alonso's team persevered and made history.
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