Bayer Leverkusen, under the leadership of Xabi Alonso, has emerged as a phenomenon in the 2023-24 season, defying expectations and setting exceptional standards in European football. In his first full season in charge of the club after his arrival in October 2022, Alonso has led Leverkusen to its first Bundesliga title, challenging Bayern Munich's historic dominance, as well as outstanding performances in the Pokal and the Europa League .
Leverkusen has captured the attention of all of Europe with its outstanding performance. With six days left in the Bundesliga, he snatches the crown from Bayern Munich, marking an end to eleven years of dominance by the Bavarian giant. The team, which beat Werder Bremen at home this Sunday (5-0) to mathematically win the German championship, has shown remarkable efficiency on the field, averaging 2.8 goals per game, while defensively it has been solid, conceding less than a goal per game, with an average of 0.67. These figures reflect Leverkusen's ability to dominate both in attack and defence, which has been fundamental to their success in the league this season.
The highlight of Leverkusen's season is their impeccable record, as the only unbeaten team in Europe's top five leagues. Since their 3-0 defeat against Bochum on May 27, 2023, on matchday 34 of the Bundesliga, the team has not known defeat. With 42 games played in total, including 29 in the Bundesliga, five in the Pokal and nine in the Europa League, Leverkusen has accumulated 38 wins and five draws, showing impressive consistency in all competitions.
Major challenge
The North Rhine-Westphalian team is pursuing a milestone: winning the Bundesliga without suffering any defeat, something that no German team has achieved since the creation of the championship in 1963. Bayern Munich came close in the 2013-14 season, losing its first match on matchday 28, but Leverkusen has already surpassed this feat.
Despite this impressive achievement, Leverkusen is still far from the absolute record in German football. Bayern Munich maintained a streak of 53 domestic games without losing between matchday ten of the 2012-13 Bundesliga and matchday 29 of the 2013-14 season, a milestone that remains unsurpassed in the history of German football.
All under the leadership of Xabi Alonso, who has renewed his contract, thus clearing up speculation about his future. Teams such as Liverpool and Bayern Munich were rumored to be interested in his services, especially after uncertainty over coaches for the upcoming season at both clubs. However, the Gipuzkoan's decision to continue at Leverkusen shows his commitment to the project and his confidence in the team's potential to achieve more success in the future.
Bayer Leverkusen, throughout its history, has rarely tasted success, with just three titles to its name: a second division in 1979, the UEFA Cup in 1988 and the Pokal in 1993. After securing the title of the Bundesliga this year, the team led by Xabi Alonso is on track to win the same trophies in the same season as in its entire history.
In the Pokal final, Leverkusen will face the modest Kaiserslautern, which is fighting to remain in the second division. With this opportunity against a seemingly weaker opponent, Leverkusen emerges as favorites to add another title.
Furthermore, in the Europa League, Leverkusen has already taken an important step by winning 2-0 in the first leg against West Ham. Now, the team prepares to play the second leg in London next week, hoping to secure their passage to the next phase and continue their quest for European glory.
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