Alonso's historic title marks a new era for Bayer Leverkusen, transforming the club indefinitely
In alternative circumstances, such a declaration might have been perceived as tempting fate, risking the ire of football deities. Nevertheless, Leverkusen prepared for a day of jubilation unlike any other. Around 10,000 individuals lined the streets, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the team bus as it made its way to the Bay-Arena. Bismarckstrasse was temporarily renamed Xabi-Alonso-Allee, with its new appellation proudly displayed on street signs.
However, Leverkusen wasn't merely hopeful; they were poised for victory. In contrast to Borussia Dortmund's heartbreaking stumble on the final day of the previous season when their opportunity to usurp Bayern Munich slipped away, Leverkusen never wavered. On Sunday, all they needed was a victory over Werder Bremen to clinch the title mathematically.
When presented with the pivotal moment to seize their desires, there's typically no such thing as "only." Yet Alonso's squad made it appear effortless. Throughout this exceptional season, they've normalized heroics. Consider their bold performance, securing a draw against Bayern in a thrilling match back in September (the only two league points they conceded before December). Or the consecutive stoppage-time victories in Augsburg and Leipzig upon the league's resumption in January. And what about their February triumph over Bayern, a match that left the world in awe? Everything has been executed with utmost flair and minimal fuss, embodying Alonso's style perfectly.
Even when the squad was depleted by the African Cup of Nations, their coach refrained from airing grievances publicly. When their star striker, the unstoppable Victor Boniface, sustained an injury during Nigeria's campaign that sidelined him until recently, Leverkusen pressed on undeterred. No excuses, no reservations—just the next man stepping up. As the team approached its climax, having missed out on a few of those magical moments in 2024, it was fitting that Boniface scored the first-half penalty against Bremen to kick off the celebrations in earnest. From that moment on, there was hardly a shred of doubt.
While a scrappy, unglamorous victory to clinch the title might have sufficed—anything to finally silence the weary "Neverkusen" label—this team was never inclined to take that route. Granit Xhaka, whom Alonso regards as his on-field anchor, initiated the victory lap with a thunderous long-range left-footed strike, setting the stage for the crown prince Florian Wirtz to sprinkle his stardust over the proceedings.
When Wirtz broke free to notch his second goal, extending the lead to 4-0 in the 83rd minute, the sheer jubilation of the fans overflowed, and some couldn't contain themselves, streaming onto the field. After nearly three minutes of clearing the pitch, led by Wirtz himself, the game resumed, but the fans didn't retreat to the stands. Instead, they remained tucked behind the advertising hoardings, barely contained. The tide couldn't be held back. When Wirtz completed his hat-trick in the 90th minute, supporters surged onto the field once more, and this time, referee Harm Osmers didn't attempt to restart the game. It was all over, and inevitably, Bayer Leverkusen were crowned Bundesliga champions for the first time in the club's history.
Even reflecting on that final sentence feels surreal. Less than a year ago, at the start of this season, such an outcome would have seemed implausible, despite the noticeable impact of Alonso. Since his arrival in October 2022, he had already lifted the team from second bottom to just shy of the top four and led them to the Europa League final last season. The transformation goes beyond just street names; where capitulation once felt inevitable, now, under Alonso's leadership, only victory seems assured.
Amid the excitement of nearing unprecedented success, the players remained remarkably composed. A defining moment came just before halftime, with a mere one-goal lead, when Odilon Kossounou calmly maneuvered the ball out of the danger zone in his own penalty area, elegantly setting up Nathan Tella on the right. It was a move that spoke volumes.
After the match, amidst intermittent beer showers from his exuberant players, Alonso graciously acknowledged that the title belonged not just to him but also to his predecessors, mentioning Christoph Daum, Klaus Toppmöller, and Roger Schmidt. However, Kossounou's display of composure was something unique to this era. Leverkusen has always been known for entertaining football, but now they exude confidence and assurance. They've transformed from being capable of competing with the best on their day to being the best every day.
"To those who have only known Bayern Munich," grinned Robert Andrich to DAZN, "now it's Bayer Leverkusen time." The midfielder's words not only acknowledged the groundbreaking moment his team is experiencing but also spoke to younger supporters who have grown up witnessing Bayern's dominance. They also conveyed the squad's determination to continue their success. Alonso's lineup for this historic game clearly demonstrated ambition and forward-thinking: top performers like Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo, hailed as the continent's best wing-backs of the season, were left on the bench, with a crucial Europa League match against West Ham looming on Thursday. Even Wirtz, a key player, began the game as a substitute until he came on at half-time to put the finishing touch on his team's memorable Bundesliga campaign.
Leverkusen's commitment to seizing every moment and constantly striving for improvement has been their defining trait. They didn't win this Bundesliga title by luck or circumstance; their brilliance shone through. While Bayern may have had their flaws this season, including defensive vulnerabilities and midfield leadership issues, they were far from a poor team. Before their defeat to Leverkusen in February, which ultimately shaped the season's narrative, Bayern had actually made one of the best starts to a Bundesliga campaign in history. With five games remaining, they are on track to surpass their points total from their previous title-winning season.
As Herbert Hainer and Jan-Christian Dreesen begrudgingly issued their congratulations to the jubilant fans at Bay-Arena ("we will take this as a direct incentive, and will not rest until the [trophy] comes back to Munich," said Dreesen), thoughts naturally turned to what lies ahead. The upcoming summer could prove challenging for Leverkusen, despite Alonso's likely continuation in his role as manager. The strategy for an unexpected title winner often follows a familiar pattern: capitalize on strong assets through sales while aiming to retain the core squad. However, limiting departures can be a daunting task.
Consider Monaco's Ligue 1 championship in 2017 as a cautionary tale. Initially intending to only sell Bernardo Silva and Tiemoué Bakayoko at the season's end, Manchester City's substantial offer for Benjamin Mendy altered the landscape, leading to a mass exodus from the dressing room, with Kylian Mbappé eventually departing as well. If Wirtz performs as expected in Euro 2024 on home soil, Leverkusen could face an uncomfortable dilemma involving a potential €100m+ offer, especially considering the lack of suitable replacements and the Financial Fair Play regulations tightening in England, which could work in Leverkusen's favor.
Retaining Alonso increases Leverkusen's chances of keeping their squad intact. His ambition has permeated the club and inspired the players, fundamentally altering Bayer Leverkusen's trajectory. They are now a formidable force, with even greater potential yet to be realized.
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