Leverkusen have no time to soak in 'Neverlusen' season
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They were derided as 'Neverkusen' for their failure to win a major title for decades
- Xabi Alonso's team also stretched their European record unbeaten run across all competitions this season to 51 matches
- They are looking to add two more titles next week, facing Atalanta on Wednesday in the Europa League final and Kaiserslautern for the German Cup on May 25
LEVERKUSEN (Reuters) – Bayer Leverkusen's undefeated run to their maiden Bundesliga title will need time to sink in but their coach, Xabi Alonso, said they barely have a moment to enjoy their exceptional season as they are chasing more trophies in an attempt to complete the treble.
Long derided as 'Neverkusen' for their failure to win a major title for decades, Leverkusen became the first ever team in the Bundesliga to complete a full season without a loss following a 2-1 victory over Augsburg in the season finale on Saturday.
The club hailed the achievement by giving themselves a new nickname on their social media channel – 'Bayer 04 Neverlusen'.
"It is an exceptional season, not only in Germany but in Europe," Alonso said in a press conference. "We deserve now to be part of that history of European football. In 20 years we will look back and we will say 'we did that'.
"It is an important day for the club. We have to be proud of the way we played. 90 points and undefeated," he said. "We need a bit more time to value this title. The first Bundesliga title but a big Bundesliga title victory."
Alonso's team also stretched their European record unbeaten run across all competitions this season to 51 matches as they look to add two more titles next week.
Leverkusen face Atalanta on Wednesday in the Europa League final before taking on Kaiserslautern in the German Cup final on May 25.
"I believe it (the unbeaten title win), but I need more time. But we have no time because we have the next big goal (on Wednesday). It is unique opportunity," Alonso said.
"We will remember this day. It is a special day to have the league trophy here and having done it undefeated. This team has now been engraved in Bundesliga history."
FIRST BUNDESLIGA TEAM TO GO ALL SEASON WITHOUT DEFEAT
Leverkusen edged past Augsburg 2-1 on the last matchday on Saturday to become the first team in the history of the Bundesliga to complete a full season without a loss.
Leverkusen, who also face Kaiserslautern in the German Cup final on May 25, finished in top spot on 90 points with 28 wins and six draws, 17 points ahead of second-placed VfB Stuttgart, winners 4-0 over Borussia Moenchengladbach.
At the other end of the table Cologne were relegated, joining Darmstadt 98, following a 4-1 defeat at Heidenheim. VfL Bochum will go into a relegation playoff.
Leverkusen got off to a strong start and Victor Boniface intercepted a ball from Augsburg keeper Tomas Koubek to tap in for the lead in the 12th minute as the home fans prepared to kick off the city's big party to celebrate the club's maiden league title.
Robert Andrich, part of Germany's Euro 2024 preliminary squad, doubled the advantage from close range in the 27th but Augsburg came out fighting after the break and cut the deficit with Mert Komur just past the hour.
Both teams had their share of chances but it was always going to be Leverkusen's day, with fans hoping their first ever Bundesliga trophy will be the first of three titles in what is already a remarkable season.
