April 12 – One more win is all that separates Bayer Leverkusen from their first ever German title having finished as runner-up five times.
The club – unbeaten in the league all season – is on the verge of shedding the tag of ‘Neverkusen’ and ending a decade of dominance by Bayern Munich under Xavi Alonso.
The title would be a testament to the seemingly unshakable self-belief in a team which was in the relegation zone when Alonso took over as coach in October 2022.
“In many key games during the season we have had this mentality, this character to come back, not to give up in difficult situations and that means a lot,” he said. “That says a lot about the team spirit that we have had the whole year.”
Beating Werder Bremen on Sunday would ensure second-place Bayern cannot catch Leverkusen and give Alonso’s team its first piece of silverware in a season which could yet end with a remarkable treble that includes the German Cup and Europa League.
With 24 wins and four draws, they are six games away from being the first team ever to finish an entire Bundesliga campaign unbeaten.
They could even win the league before kick-off if Bayern – who lost to Heidenheim last week – are beaten by relegation-threatened Cologne on Saturday and third-place Stuttgart lose to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Alonso recently announced he was staying next season, a blow for Liverpool who had reportedly been courting his services to replace the outgoing Jurgen Klopp.
“We all just have this connection, together this is what makes the team,” said Leverkusen wing back Jeremie Frimpong. “Since he’s come he’s changed Leverkusen… When he announced he was staying we were all happy, we did a big cheer.”
Alonso said there were many reasons for deciding to stay with the club.
“After one year, we’re building a team, we’re building a great spirit here. We want to keep having this thing together. After one year, it didn’t feel like the right timing (to leave), and that’s why I’m committed.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734945698labto1734945698ofdlr1734945698owedi1734945698sni@w1734945698ahsra1734945698w.wer1734945698dna1734945698