Bayer Leverkusen: Xabi Alonso hails 'exceptional’ unbeaten season

CNN
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Bayer Leverkusen They completed the most dominant Bundesliga season in history with a 2-1 win over Augsburg on Saturday, becoming the first champions to lift the trophy without defeat all campaign.

The team was so successful this season that it earned the club a new and improved nickname.

Previously branded 'Neverkusen’ by opposition fans for failing to win a club trophy for more than 30 years, Leverkusen rebranded themselves as 'Neverlusen’ on social media following Saturday’s win.

The win ensured Leverkusen its extension Unbeaten run record For 51 games. Between 1963-65 Benfica went 48 games without defeat.

„It’s been an exceptional season, not only in Germany but also in Europe,” manager Xabi Alonso told Reuters. „We deserve to be part of European football history now. In 20 years we will look back and say, 'We did it.’

„It’s an important day for the club. We should be proud of the way we played. 90 points and undefeated. We need a little more time to appreciate this title. First Bundesliga title but a big Bundesliga title win.

However, despite the unprecedented success, it was not long before Alonso basked in the glory of his first major trophy as a manager.

Leverkusen still have a German Cup final against Kaiserslautern on May 25, but before that face Atalanta in the Europa League final on Wednesday as the team looks for a historic treble.

By winning European football’s premier competition, the Champions League, instead of the Europa League, Leverkusen will become only the second German team in history to complete the treble after Bayern Munich, although the Bavarians have completed one twice – in 2013 and 2020.

„I hope so, but I need more time [for it to sink it],” Alonso added. „But we don’t have time because we have the next big goal. This is a unique opportunity.

„We will remember this day. Winning the League Cup here and doing it undefeated is a special day. This team is now etched in Bundesliga history.