Undefeated already five rounds before the close: Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen makes history and conquers the Bundesliga with a crushing victory

Bayer Leverkusen gets rid of all its ghosts. After 120 years of history, the aspirin team wins the Bundesliga. He is doing it with a historic campaign. They won the title with five matches remaining in the premier competition, thus obtaining a 16-point advantage over Bayern Munich, which became unattainable for the Bavarians. This Sunday, in front of a packed BayArena, those made by Xabi Alonso They won 5-0 against Werden Bremen. This is his twenty-fifth victory this season. They also recorded four draws. Defeats? So far, none. Clearly a campaign that remains in the history books of German football. In addition, they break with 11 years of Bayern hegemony.

The party started early in Leverkusen. 25 minutes into the first half, Victor Okoh opened the scoring with a penalty. The piece, approved by the VAR, was replaced by a score and was the unmistakable sign that that day everything would go well for the 30.2010 supporters who arrived on site. Then, in the second half, the joy was definitive with goals from Granit Xhaka (60′) and Florian Wirtz (68′, 83′ and 90′). The hubbub was such that the invasion anticipated the whistle and, in extra time, the world was already filling the playing field.

The arrival of Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen was practically urgent. When he arrived, he still had Charles Aránguiz in his ranks. In fact, the coaching staff had him in their plans and wanted him to continue. But the national midfielder wanted a change of scenery and returned to Inter Porto Alegre. It was one of the restructurings that were carried out in the team.

The campaign they have had in the 2023-24 season is unprecedented. It was filled with records. In February, they snatched the record from Bayern Munich for being the German team that went the longest without losing. Until now, they continue to accumulate days of invincibility.

In his presentation as Teutonic strategist more than a year ago, Alonso said he was looking to build a team: “Intense with and without the ball, being active at all times. Contemporary football has become very sophisticated and many facets of the game must be mastered. It is obvious that his wishes were granted.

In October 2022, he took a team that wasn’t there and transformed it into the Bundesliga’s performer in just a few months. He is also on the eve of the semi-final of the Europa League . Next year, their challenge will be greater: they will be back in the Champions League, a competition in which they were once finalists.

Of course, the strategist is not rushing. I had already planned that after winning the title I would have a few well-deserved hours of relaxation. “If someone approaches me on Sunday with a large glass of beer, I will be ready…” he anticipated before the engagement which crowned them. “It’s a special moment for the club and the fans can celebrate it, I hope they do, because they deserve it,” he added.