Leverkusen Wins First Bundesliga Title, Ends Bayern’s 11-Year Reign
Bayer Leverkusen secured their first Bundesliga title, bringing an end to Bayern Munich’s 11-year dominance in the league.
The historic victory was marked by a resounding 5-0 win over Werder Bremen at the BayArena on April 14, 2024. This victory not only secured the championship with five matches left in the season but also extended Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak across all competitions to an impressive 43 games.
Florian Wirtz was the star of the show, netting a hat-trick, while Victor Boniface and Granit Xhaka each added to the tally, ensuring a seamless win for Xabi Alonso’s team. This title is a significant milestone for Leverkusen, which had previously finished in second place five times in their 120-year history. The triumph effectively dismisses their old nickname ‘Neverkusen’.
The match saw a festive atmosphere, with fans, draped in black and red, lining the streets renamed ‘Xabi Alonso Street’ in honor of their coach. The anticipation was palpable as fans began crowding the sidelines towards the game’s end, some even entering the pitch, celebrating the momentous occasion with the players post-match.
Leverkusen’s outstanding performance this season has them at the top of the table with 79 points, the highest tally after 29 games in the history of the Bundesliga, placing them 16 points ahead of the second-placed Bayern Munich and Stuttgart.
The day was filled with strategic plays, with coach Alonso making seven changes to his lineup ahead of their upcoming Europa League match against West Ham in London. This included benching key players like Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Alex Grimaldo, showcasing the depth and quality within the squad. Notably, Boniface, returning from an injury, opened the scoring with a confidently taken penalty after a VAR review.
As the second half unfolded, Leverkusen’s dominance continued with Xhaka and Wirtz scoring from long-range efforts, leaving no hope for Bremen to spoil the celebrations. The match concluded with Wirtz completing his hat-trick, encapsulating a perfect day for Leverkusen.