Bayer Leverkusen turned the primary workforce to stay unbeaten in a Bundesliga season, successful the competitors for the primary time of their historical past and ending Bayern Munich’s 11-year reign as German champions.
However the extraordinary season loved by Xabi Alonso’s workforce just isn’t over but. They face Atalanta within the Europa League last in Dublin on Wednesday earlier than trying to raise the German Cup once they tackle Kaiserslautern on Saturday.
They continue to be simply two video games away from a historic treble – an unbeaten treble. On this unique interview with German soccer legend Jurgen Klinsmann, he explains how they did it, why it was so vital for the Bundesliga and what may occur subsequent…
Leverkusen shocked German soccer?
“I feel it was a Bundesliga season that nobody anticipated beforehand. With the best way Bayer Leverkusen and Xabi Alonso have had this season, everybody has been very stunned, positively stunned and in a method excited concerning the trip.
“As a result of each week you thought they had been going to lose their first recreation, they lose one. After which they equalize within the 97th minute, 98th minute, one centesimal minute or rating the successful objective within the final second, all these issues .
“They’ve gone on this trip and it does not appear like it is going to finish. Nevertheless it was such a breath of contemporary air for Germany, for all Bundesliga followers, for all soccer followers on this nation. After 10 years of Bayern Munich successful the Bundesliga, it was time for somebody to make a change.
“Bayer Leverkusen did it, they usually did it in such a improbable method, in such an attacking fashion, stuffed with power, that they took all of the followers with them – possibly not Bayern Munich followers, however all the opposite followers had been for Bayer Leverkusen. Fingers had been held for them.
“And now the story just isn’t over as a result of they’ll nonetheless win the Europa League they usually also can win the German Cup, which is as huge because the FA Cup for us in Germany. This can be a huge deal. Maybe the DFB-Pokal and the FA Cup are very related.
“They’ll win this match in opposition to a second division facet in Kaiserslautern, who’ve clearly all the time been a primary division workforce, but it surely needs to be taken.
“After which they have the Europa League last in opposition to Atalanta Bergamo, an excellent workforce, a really robust workforce, very uncomfortable to play in opposition to, however they’ve performed thus far so go, so why not go for all three?”
Probably the greatest seasons ever?
“Sure, I’d say so. Clearly, going undefeated in some unspecified time in the future all through the season could be very uncommon. It occurred to Arsenal a few years in the past. That is one thing very particular and nobody anticipated it.
“However in a method now, within the final couple of years, the best way they’ve constructed with the footballers, they’ve been very fortunate with Xabi Alonso, the best way he has related so effectively with the membership. Nonetheless a really younger coach and related with this youthful era so the communication appears simply excellent.
“However the workforce was constructed through the years by Rudi Voller, who’s now the sporting director of the German FA. Step-by-step, they discovered one piece after one other, and a few abilities that nobody may have anticipated would rise to the extent of Jude Bellingham. .
“With Florian Wirtz, they’ve a expertise that might be one of many huge surprises of this European Championship. They introduced [Granit] Xhaka arrived from Arsenal and he turned the chief of this group in midfield, working the entire present there.
“They’ve a powerful defensive position, so all the things appears to be falling into place. The puzzle they have been constructing and placing collectively during the last 4 or 5 years has reached the best attainable stage and made this run attainable. It is a improbable story, a fairy story they’re nonetheless residing, and we’re all now questioning how they’re going to finish it.”
Can Leverkusen’s success proceed?
“I feel so. They don’t seem to be anticipated to go a full yr unbeaten once more and win the title once more, however they’re absolutely able to competing with Bayern Munich once more and difficult them once more.
“Undoubtedly you possibly can count on Bayern Munich to return into the switch market and they’ll add a few items to their squad to catch Bayer Leverkusen now as a result of they’re offended and when Bayern are offended they go into the switch market . and do one thing about it.
“Normally they do it with two or three of the opposition’s greatest gamers and if they can not catch them, they go after the coach. However Xabi Alonso, as you recognize, stated that he’s going to remain at the least in Bayer Leverkusen. now.
“It is improbable as a result of it provides them an opportunity to attempt once more within the Bundesliga and likewise to see how they’ll now survive within the Champions League within the new Champions League format. Bundesliga followers are ready for this excellent. to see the way it goes subsequent season.”