History was scripted on Sunday (April 14) as Bayer Leverkusen won their maiden Bundesliga title after their 5-0 win over Werder Bremen. The win goes down as the most significant win in the history of the club as they became champions of Germany, ending Bayern Munich’s 11-year reign. After the match, Bayer’s coach and mastermind behind their success Xabi Alonso spoke to the media while opening up on their emotions on what was a landmark day in the history of the German club.
Xabi Alonso comments on title win
“This is a very special moment for the club. Winning the Bundesliga for the first time in 120 years is something very special. The players are top. I am very proud of everyone. It is an honour for me to work here,” Alonso said after the side’s win.
Needing to win on Sunday to secure the title, Leverkusen fans thronged the Bayer Arena with volumes up. There was not a single seat empty while a street leading to the stadium was named after Xabi Alonso for his service to the club. A first half goal from Victor Boniface was followed by a second half strike from Granit Xhaka while striker Florian Wirtz then popped up with his first career hat-trick as Bayer beat Werder Bremen 5-0 to secure the win to clinch the Bundesliga title.
The win also saw Bayer become the first maiden champions of the Bundesliga since Wolfsburg in the 2008-09 season. The German powerhouse were runners-up on five occasions in the past and failed to get over the line in the following seasons – 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2001–02, 2010–11.
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The most notable of those seasons was 2001-02 when Leverkusen’s star-studded side lost the Bundesliga title on the final day despite going into the final day as league leaders. They also lost the DFB Pokal final that season while the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid all but compounded misery for that side.
Leverkusen’s quest for treble
Leverkusen though could now repeat the scene with a better outcome as they will play in the DFB Pokal final again at the end of the season. They will face FC Kaiserslautern in the final to win a domestic double. They could win a historic treble if they can clinch the Europa League title where they currently hold a 2-0 advantage in the quarterfinal after the first leg. Leverkusen will travel to West Ham on Thursday, with that competition being the only competitive game with something at stake before the cup final in May.
Also Read: Bayer Leverkusen lift Bundesliga title; Xabi Alonso creates history