Just one victory more. That’s what stands between Xabi Alonso and Bayer Leverkusen and the German championship. Leverkusen is determined to shake off its past nickname of “Neverkusen,” earned from five previous second-place finishes, and surpass the talent and financial power of Bayern Munich.
Securing a win against Werder Bremen on Sunday would guarantee that second-place Bayern Munich cannot catch up to Leverkusen, marking Alonso’s team’s first title in a season that could potentially result in a treble of Bundesliga, German Cup, and Europa League victories.
With 24 wins and four draws, Leverkusen is also just six games away from becoming the first team to complete an entire Bundesliga season without a loss.
There’s even a chance Leverkusen could clinch the title before their match begins if Bayern — which suffered a defeat to Heidenheim last week — loses to relegation-threatened Cologne on Saturday. Third-place Stuttgart also loses to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Leverkusen’s remarkable undefeated streak in the Bundesliga this season is welcome news for many German soccer fans, who are tired of Bayern’s 11-year dominance in the league.
However, some fans are hesitant because Leverkusen is not majority-controlled by members under the 50+1 rule like most German clubs, but by the Bayer pharmaceutical company, where it originated as a workers’ team.
Even as the season winds down, speculation is rife about which players from Alonso’s squad will remain for the next season. Almost every player in the starting lineup could be sought after by other top clubs in Europe.
Their connection with Alonso, who has confirmed he will stay despite interest from Liverpool and Bayern Munich, might help keep the team together, at least for a while.
“Everyone feels good, everyone loves the coach. You can see it on the field. We’re all happy. The coach enjoys working with us. We all have this bond, and that’s what makes the team,” wingback Jeremie Frimpong said.
“Since he arrived, he’s changed Leverkusen … When he announced he was staying, we were all happy, we cheered loudly.”
