Bayer Leverkusen makes history with first-ever undefeated Bundesliga season | Lifestyle

Bayer Leverkusen Makes History with Undefeated Bundesliga Season

LEVERKUSEN, Germany (AP) — Bayer Leverkusen made history on Saturday by becoming the first team ever to finish an entire Bundesliga season undefeated. The team, led by manager Xabi Alonso, secured a 2-1 victory over Augsburg in their final match of the season to complete the remarkable feat.

The match had its tense moments as Augsburg managed to cut Leverkusen’s lead in half, putting their undefeated streak in jeopardy. However, Leverkusen, known for their late winning goals throughout the season, held on to secure the win and cement their place in the record books.

The final whistle at BayArena was met with a chorus of “Hallelujah” playing over the PA system as fans erupted in celebration. A plane flew over the stadium trailing a banner that read “German Champion” as the sellout crowd of 30,000 cheered on their victorious team. The players were awarded the club’s first-ever league winners medals, a moment that will go down in Leverkusen’s history.

Alonso, who took over as manager in October 2022 with Leverkusen in the relegation zone, was visibly emotional as he received his medal. The Spanish manager, who has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich, expressed his pride in the team’s exceptional season.

“It’s an exceptional season that we’ve made, not just in Germany but I think in Europe,” Alonso said. “We deserve this part of history in European soccer.”

Goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky led the celebrations by climbing into the stands and handing the trophy to fans to lift. The players and fans alike basked in the glory of the historic achievement, with Alonso leading a club chant into a microphone.

The victory marks a significant turnaround for Leverkusen, a club that has often been labeled as “Neverkusen” for their history of coming up short in crucial moments. However, under Alonso’s leadership, the team has found new energy and success, culminating in their undefeated Bundesliga season.

Looking ahead, Leverkusen has the chance to add two more titles to their collection in the coming weeks. They will face Atalanta in the Europa League final on Wednesday in Dublin, followed by the German Cup final against Kaiserslautern next weekend.

Alonso and his team are now focused on the upcoming challenges, with the manager acknowledging that the unbeaten season has yet to fully sink in.

The achievement is all the more impressive given Bayern Munich’s decade of dominance in German soccer. Leverkusen’s title-winning team is a mix of up-and-coming talents and experienced players who have thrived under Alonso’s guidance.

As the celebrations continue in Leverkusen, fans and players alike are savoring the historic moment and looking forward to what the future holds for their beloved club.