Bayer Leverkusen win the Bundesliga title for first time, with five games to spare
Bayer Leverkusen have won their first-ever Bundesliga title after a 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen. They’ve secured the title with a massive five games to spare.
Bayern Munich beat Cologne on Saturday to keep Leverkusen’s title celebrations on hold for at least a day.
But by Sunday there were celebrations as Xabi Alonso’s team made history.
“We have to enjoy and celebrate today with our families, friends and fans,” said Alonso, who was showered with beer after the victory in a German tradition. “This was my first [full] season as a coach, the feeling is incredible.”
A penalty in the 25th minute opened the scoring, with goals from Granit Xhaka and Florian Wirtz in quick succession. Wirtz added a fourth in the 82nd minute and again – completing a hat trick.
Supporters ran onto the pitch mid-match when Wirtz added the fourth goal.
Xhaka and Wirtz added the achievement had not sunk in yet.
“Obviously, at the start of the season we couldn’t have imagined this,” said Xhaka, who joined Leverkusen from Arsenal last July.
Wirtz added: “I personally can still not realise this has happened. I will need a few moments in the changing room to understand what we have achieved.”
Leverkusen’s landmark achievement ends an era of dominance for Bayern, who had won the past 11 Bundesliga titles.
Unbeaten in all competitions this season, Leverkusen remain on course for a remarkable treble in Alonso’s first full season in charge, with the German Cup and Europa League still in their sights.
