Bayer Leverkusen wins unprecedented German Championship title

Team opens 16 points lead at the top of the table with 5 rounds to go

This Sunday (13) will not be forgotten anytime soon in the city of Leverkusen, Germany. Local team Bayer 04 Leverkusen won the Bundesliga title for the first time after beating Werder Bremen 5-0 in front of wild fans at the Leverkusen Arena. With 79 points, the team opened 16 points behind second place, Bayern Munich, with five rounds remaining in the competition. Therefore, the club, founded in 1904, can no longer be reached at the top of the table. As a result, the German Championship is the first among the major European leagues to have a defined champion in the 2023-24 season.

The title of the group led by Spaniard Xabi Alonso is historic on several levels. Firstly, because it is unprecedented for a 119-year-old club. Secondly, because it breaks Bayern Munich’s streak of 11 consecutive Bundesliga titles, the longest streak in history. And thirdly because they arrive undefeated, with 25 wins and four draws in 29 matches. There are still five rounds left until the end of the championship.

Needing only a simple victory against 12th placed Werder Bremen to secure the victory, the Leverkusen fans celebrated before the ball even rolled. When the game started, there wasn’t much doubt that the happy ending would happen. Victor Boniface opened the scoring with a penalty in the 25th minute and the team never had their victory threatened. Xhaka added another goal in the 15th minute of the second half and the triumph turned into a rout with a hat-trick from Wirtz. For the attacking midfielder’s last two goals, the fans invaded the field even though the game had not yet ended, a sign of the euphoria and anxiety to finally celebrate the title.

After the final whistle, the general invasion was complete and the pitch was taken over by a delirious crowd.