It seemed that “Neverkusen” was already etched in football lore, a club that had five runners-up finishes, six third places, some highs, and a lot of lows cramped in between. It almost seemed like the football gods were casually playing games, each of them taking turns deciding the fate of Bayer Leverkusen every Bundesliga season.
But on a brisk spring night, a special group of men, led by a living icon, decided to test these gods, test their fate, and decide to rewrite their destiny in football history.
They courteously welcomed Werder Bremen to their humble abode and, with an unbashful demeanour, proceeded to thump and thrash their esteemed guests.
Rolling like a Spielberg film, it was the tip of their spear, Victor Boniface, who led the charge, taking the first step towards glory with an occurrence Bundesliga fans have gotten accustomed to this season: A Victor Boniface opening goal.
Then, his running mate Granit Xhaka showed his new home just why he excelled as a Gunner and struck a follow-up goal with marksman-like precision to give a not-so-slight nudge towards football glory.
Alas, Florian Wirtz clinched the summit of the Bundesliga mountain in the most flamboyant way possible and proceeded to secure the win with not one, not two, but three goals!
What better way to clinch the league title than with a hat-trick?
The stadium was already filled with a mist of red even before the final whistle was blown, but when it did, BayArena, which has a capacity of just 22,500, roared in unison. There was a cheer that was heard all over the football world. A celebration to the highest of superlatives.
Bayer Leverkusen are the champions of the Bundesliga.
This team, these men, and this manager ended 120 years of hurt and torment. This special group clinched Leverkusen’s first ever Bundesliga title and ended Bayern Munich’s 11-year dominance in German football.
“This is a very special moment for the club,’ Alonso said. ‘After 120 years, to win the Bundesliga for the first time is something extraordinary. The players really performed; they were a top team together. I am so proud of all of them.”
Bayern Munich were the overwhelming SBOTOP Bundesliga 2024 odds favourites in the start of the season, but Die Werkself are living testaments that even if the odds are against you, that’s where it’s most imperative to push and bet on yourselves.
“This trophy belongs to a lot of people, and we have to enjoy it.” Leverkusen’s win broke an 11-year run of Bayern dominance. “It’s perhaps healthy for the Bundesliga and German football that other teams win, and it’s a great pleasure that it’s us.”
Bring out the beer and the cigar, boys. Hats off to you!
Now that Leverkusen is on the front page of the Bundesliga 2024 news stories all over the globe, one must not forget that the job’s not done for Alonso and his men.
Drenched after Alonso’s players surprised him with a beer shower during the press conference after winning the Bundesliga, the 42-year-old quickly reminded the press that the job’s not done.
“It’s not over yet.” “We’ll see how far we can go. I have a good feeling about it,” he stated.
They are now just four games away from winning the Europa League, and they are currently tussling with Premier League side West Ham. Leverkusen are up two goals on aggregate, but West Ham have a home advantage in the return leg, so the German side can expect nothing but hostility at London Stadium.
Alonso and his men are also a final game away from clinching the DFB-Pokal. They’ve basically cruised through the tournament, having no convincing threat en route to their final bout against Kaiserslautern.
If Die Werkself manage to continue their 43-game unbeaten streak and triumph in the Europa League and DFB-Pokal, we could see one of the relegation candidates in the Bundesliga win a treble.
As the football gods scratch their heads, they too cannot fathom the sight of Xabi Alonso and the rest of Leverkusen lifting the Meisterschale in front of 22,000 strong. But it was probable for quite some time now. They are ready. It is officially their time.
The history books will forever have a corner of their page folded slightly, so the football world can pass this Cinderella story down to the younger generations and say, “During the 2023–24 season, Bayer Leverkusen ended their curse and became the kings of German football.” It’s done, Neverkusen no more! Bayer Leverkusen are the champions of Bundesliga
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