Bayer Leverkusen 5-0 Werder Bremen: Xabi Alonso’s side win Bundesliga with five games to spare
Bayer Leverkusen 5-0 Werder Bremen – Bayer Leverkusen has achieved a historic milestone by securing their first Bundesliga title in style, clinching the championship with five games still left to play. Their victory came after an impressive 5-0 win over Werder Bremen, extending their unbeaten run in the Bundesliga to 29 games this season.
The team’s head coach, Xabi Alonso, expressed his joy and called the moment “incredible.” He and his team celebrated the win at the BayArena with their families, friends, and fans, following the German tradition of being doused with beer.
Leverkusen’s path to victory was paved by a 25th-minute penalty from Victor Boniface, followed by stunning goals from Granit Xhaka and Florian Wirtz in quick succession. Wirtz’s exceptional performance included a fourth goal in the 82nd minute and a hat-trick shortly after.
The victory marked a significant moment in Leverkusen’s history, as it ended Bayern Munich’s 11-year streak of dominance in the Bundesliga. Both Xhaka and Wirtz admitted that the achievement had not fully sunk in yet.
Leverkusen’s successful season continues, with the team remaining undefeated in all competitions and still vying for the German Cup and Europa League. This extraordinary season is a testament to Alonso’s impact as a coach in his first full season at the helm.
The conclusion of Bayer Leverkusen’s victory over Werder Bremen and their subsequent Bundesliga triumph was met with scenes of jubilation both on and off the pitch. Leverkusen’s supporters rushed onto the field mid-match to celebrate after Wirtz scored the team’s fourth goal in the 82nd minute. His hat-trick was completed shortly afterward, adding to the electrifying atmosphere at the stadium.
Xhaka, who joined Leverkusen from Arsenal in July 2023, and Wirtz both noted that the magnitude of their achievement was still difficult to comprehend. As the players took time to reflect in the changing room, the impact of their success on the club’s history and the city was becoming clearer.
Leverkusen’s landmark achievement not only secured them the Bundesliga title, but it also set the stage for further potential glory in other competitions. With the German Cup and Europa League still within reach, the club remains on track for a remarkable treble under Alonso’s guidance.
The team’s success is a testament to the effective strategies and strong leadership of Xabi Alonso, who has brought fresh energy and tactical prowess to Leverkusen. The players’ dedication and teamwork have propelled them to the top, breaking Bayern Munich’s long-standing dominance in the Bundesliga.
As the celebrations continue, Leverkusen’s focus will soon shift to maintaining their high performance across all competitions and finishing the season on a strong note. Fans can look forward to more exciting moments as the team aims for further triumphs in the weeks ahead.
Leverkusen get the job done in style
There has been a sense of inevitability about Leverkusen’s Bundesliga win for weeks now.
It has been a question of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ the club would get their hands on a first Meisterschale – the championship shield.
There was an expectant atmosphere around the BayArena before kick-off as fans eagerly welcomed the Leverkusen team bus with confetti and flares.
Werder keeper Michael Zetterer stopped premature celebrations when he prevented Piero Hincapie from tapping in Nathan Tella’s cross in the opening moments.
But the home crowd erupted when Boniface slotted home from the spot after a video assistant referee check showed Julian Malatini impeding Jonas Hofmann in the penalty area.
Werder came close to spoiling Leverkusen’s party just before the break, but Marvin Ducksch was unable to direct his glancing header towards goal.
Xhaka’s superb 25-yard shot on the hour put Alonso’s side in firm control, before Wirtz one-upped the former Arsenal midfielder with his own long-range effort.
Play resumed quickly after supporters returned to their seats following Wirtz’s second, but a sea of red and black shirts swarmed the pitch again when the 20-year-old swept home Leverkusen’s fifth, prompting the referee to blow the final whistle.
Leverkusen were in the relegation zone when Alonso took charge in October 2022.
Barely 18 months later, they are Bundesliga champions.
Line-ups
B Leverkusen
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 1Hrádecky
- 6Kossounou
- 4Tah
- 12Tapsoba
- 19TellaSubstituted forFrimpongat 62′minutes
- 8Andrich
- 34XhakaSubstituted forPalaciosat 77′minutes
- 3HincapiéBooked at 47minsSubstituted forGrimaldoat 77′minutes
- 7Hofmann
- 21AdliBooked at 31minsSubstituted forWirtzat 45′minutes
- 22BonifaceSubstituted forSchickat 62′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Stanisic
- 10Wirtz
- 13de Matos Soares
- 14Schick
- 17Kovár
- 20Grimaldo
- 25Palacios
- 30Frimpong
- 32Puerta
Werder Bremen
Formation 3-5-2
- 30Zetterer
- 22Malatini
- 36Groß
- 13Veljkovic
- 8Weiser
- 10BittencourtBooked at 47minsSubstituted forHansen-Aaröenat 77′minutes
- 14Lynen
- 20Schmid
- 27AguSubstituted forDemanat 69′minutes
- 29WoltemadeSubstituted forKownackiat 69′minutes
- 7Ducksch
Substitutes
- 2Deman
- 9Kownacki
- 21Hansen-Aaröen
- 26Imasuen
- 35Opitz
- 38dos Santos Haesler
- 40Röcker
- Referee:
- Harm Osmers
- Attendance:
- 30,210
Live Text
Match ends, Bayer 04 Leverkusen 5, SV Werder Bremen 0.
Second Half ends, Bayer 04 Leverkusen 5, SV Werder Bremen 0.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match (Bayer 04 Leverkusen).
Goal! Bayer 04 Leverkusen 5, SV Werder Bremen 0. Florian Wirtz (Bayer 04 Leverkusen) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Álex Grimaldo following a fast break.
Foul by Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer 04 Leverkusen).
Romano Schmid (SV Werder Bremen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match (Bayer 04 Leverkusen).
Goal! Bayer 04 Leverkusen 4, SV Werder Bremen 0. Florian Wirtz (Bayer 04 Leverkusen) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Exequiel Palacios with a through ball following a fast break.
Foul by Odilon Kossounou (Bayer 04 Leverkusen).
Marvin Ducksch (SV Werder Bremen) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Attempt missed. Exequiel Palacios (Bayer 04 Leverkusen) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Florian Wirtz.
Substitution, Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Exequiel Palacios replaces Granit Xhaka.
Substitution, SV Werder Bremen. Isak Hansen-Aaröen replaces Leonardo Bittencourt because of an injury.
Substitution, Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Álex Grimaldo replaces Piero Hincapié.
Attempt missed. Romano Schmid (SV Werder Bremen) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
Attempt saved. Olivier Deman (SV Werder Bremen) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Leonardo Bittencourt with a cross.
Attempt saved. Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer 04 Leverkusen) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top right corner.
Attempt saved. Patrik Schick (Bayer 04 Leverkusen) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jeremie Frimpong with a cross.