Leverkusen's title win in round 29 was the third previous in the history of the German Bundesliga. Only Bayern Munich have taken a decision twice before (27th and 28th round). The nickname “Vizekusen”, which has stuck with the club since the beginning of this millennium, has now become “Meisterkusen”. Thanks mainly to Alonso, who left the club 17th in the table on October 5, 2022. took over and finally emerged as the best team this season.
He celebrated 55 wins in 80 competitive games and suffered only ten losses, none this season. “Winning the first championship is special, very happy for everyone. It might be healthy for the Bundesliga and for German football that someone else be the champion again,” the Spaniard said.
The “Tyranny of Bavaria” came to an end
The Spanish press highlighted their countryman's role in the title. “Germany's Xabi I. Bayer Leverkusen won the first Bundesliga championship in its history. “Marca” wrote “Bayer Leverkusen managed what neither Borussia Dortmund nor RB Leipzig managed at the time: to end Bayern's tyranny”. Chabi is the master. Football master. After eleven years of Bayern's tyranny, for the first time in the Bundesliga, the king has changed.
“Bayer Leverkusen did not tremble,” noted French “L'Equipe”. “Unbeaten in all competitions since the start of the season, Xabi Alonso's side converted their first match point against Werder Bremen on Sunday and made history with their first championship title in Germany. Winning the championship after eleven years of Bavarian dominance is one thing. Crowning it with five match days to go is another. Respectable XXL Performance .”
All is not yet achieved
Alonso, 42, said the young coach still needed time to realize the first milestone of his career. Despite the fact that the Europa League quarter-final second leg against West Ham was already on Thursday, there was no stopping his players from celebrating. “Now is the moment to celebrate, they deserve it. Next week is another title. It's nice to be German champions. But we want more. We want the cup and the Europa League.
Leverkusen already have a DFB Cup final against 1. FC Kaiserslautern on May 25 in Berlin. Leverkusen last won the competition in 1993. In the Europa League, they are more likely to progress to the semi-finals after winning the first leg 2-0. There you will face either AC Milan or AS Roma. The year 2024 could go down in club history thanks to a premiership in the German Bundesliga.
The competition didn't believe Bayer would be a flash; They are the best team in Germany at the moment, but that could change in a few months. Better they fight each other. Bayern will act accordingly and then we will have a competitive situation.