Champions Bayer Leverkusen beat Augsburg 2-1 on the final matchday Saturday to change into the primary workforce within the historical past of the Bundesliga to finish a full season with no loss.
Xabi Alonso’s treble-chasing workforce additionally stretched their European document unbeaten run throughout all competitions this season to 51 matches in an ideal costume rehearsal for subsequent week’s Europa League ultimate towards Atalanta.
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Leverkusen, who additionally face Kaiserslautern within the DFB-Pokal ultimate Might 25, completed prime on 90 factors with 28 wins and 6 attracts, 17 factors forward of second-placed VfB Stuttgart.
On the different finish of the desk Cologne had been relegated, becoming a member of Darmstadt, following a 4-1 defeat at Heidenheim. VfL Bochum will go right into a relegation playoff.
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“It is an distinctive season that we have made, not simply in Germany however I believe in Europe,” Alonso mentioned. “We bear in mind the [2003-04 Arsenal] Invincibles within the Premier League and Juventus [in Serie A in 2011-12], so we deserve this a part of historical past in European soccer.”
Leverkusen acquired off to a robust begin and Victor Boniface intercepted a ball from Augsburg keeper Tomas Koubek to faucet in for the lead within the twelfth minute as the house followers ready to kick off the town’s massive get together to have fun the membership’s maiden league title.
Robert Andrich, a part of Germany’s Euro 2024 preliminary squad, doubled the benefit from shut vary within the twenty seventh however Augsburg got here out combating after the break and minimize the deficit with Mert Kömür simply previous the hour.
Each groups had their share of probabilities however it was all the time going to be Leverkusen’s day, with followers hoping their first ever Bundesliga trophy would be the first of three titles in what’s already a exceptional season.
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A choral “Hallelujah” performed over BayArena’s PA system on the ultimate whistle and a airplane trailed a “German Champion” banner over the stadium as followers sang the gamers’ praises. The sellout crowd of 30,000 was on its ft as Leverkusen’s gamers obtained the membership’s first ever league winners medals.
Alonso, who took over in October 2022 with Leverkusen within the relegation zone, punched the air to a roar from the gang as he obtained his medal. He has already pledged to remain subsequent season after curiosity from Bayern Munich.
Goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky climbed into the stands and handed the trophy to followers to carry. He led a membership chant right into a microphone as Alonso climbed as much as be part of him.
Alonso was requested if Leverkusen’s achievements within the Bundesliga had sunk in but. “I imagine it, however I want extra time, and for now we do not have a lot time,” he mentioned. “For tomorrow we have now our subsequent massive goal.”
Info from the Related Press contributed to this report