The newly crowned champions of Germany have had such a magical season, far more than the average Leverkusen fan could have hoped for. This season brought back long-lost memories of the days of Micheal Ballack and Brenda Schneider.
However, it was not to be for the invisible side led by Xabi Alonso on Wednesday night, as his side was roundly beaten by a more motivated Atalanta side. The punters and neutrals would have been quite surprised not just by the fact that the Germans lost the game, but even more about how they lost the game.
The German champions came into the game, on the back of a series of near-death defeats and sneaky wins, so we all should have suspected that a heavy defeat was in sight.
Boy oh boy, Atalanta did just that. The Bergamo-based side started the game with a forward set-up of Ademola Lookman, De Keletaere and Gianluca Scammaca, and that proved quite dangerous throughout the game. While Gianluca Scammaca was unable to hit the net in the game, his penchant for chasing down the Leverkusen defenders down to their half helped to force unwanted errors and pile the pressure on them.
Charles De Keletaere was also quite immense. The young Belgian was everywhere on the pitch and stifled the attack from the Leverkusen midfield.
However, it was the Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman that did the most damage, as his treble of majestic finishes was enough to blot out the invisibility of the Germans and restore the pride of Italy.
Even with how the game went badly and was a really poor way to end what was a great run in the competition, the Bayer Leverkusen side can put their heads up high and brace up for more achievements in Germany and even in Europe.
The rise of some major stars in the team like Victor Boniface, Jeremy Frinpong, and Florian Witz. Also with the addition of established stars like Granit Xhaka, Xabi Alonso had the right blend. Victor Boniface has been superb this season, for the Bay arena team, and although injuries have been a major hindrance in his progression, he has been able to hit double figures in goals and assists for his team. Granit Xhaka, who many dismissed following his departure from Arsenal, has found love for the game once more and is hitting new heights in performances.
Fans can get Bayer Leverkusen tickets for the next Bundesliga season from a reliable online ticket store.
Leverkusen wins this season
Bayer 04 as they are also fondly called can look back at the season they just had and be proud of it.
This was their first-ever top-tier Bundesliga league title, and their first trophy since 1993.
However, their wins go beyond the results they have been able to accomplish on the pitch but even more off it. The first achievement this brilliant team has been able to secure is the assurance of at least another season with their brilliant manager, Xabi Alonso.
The Spaniard came into the bay arena with so much cloud of doubt on his ability to steer the ship of one of the biggest clubs in German football.
He came into the club and met a host of problems here and there, and he has been able to masterfully quell the noise and get the best out of the little he was given.
The presence of young potential world beaters is also another win for Bayer Leverkusen. Having young superstars like Victor Boniface, Amin Adil and Jeremy Frimpomg is a huge bonus for the club. They either remain and continue to win for the club or fetch some good money for the club. Either way, it’s a win-win situation.
To cap it all off, the club did not only win the Bundesliga but also the DFB-Pokal, making it the club’s first double win and something to be truly proud of.
A win for German football
It is also a win for German football in general. For many years, the nation has been ridiculed for its lack of competition in its league, as Bayern Munich have also claimed top honours sometimes with the most ridiculous ease.
However, this time around they were outmatched by a resilient side led by the young Xabi Alonso. A manager who can boast of a vast exposure to the world of management even before he retires from professional football. His managers had always had glowing things to say about his knowledge of the game and his character on and off the pitch. Most notably, the Portuguese iconic manager, Jose Mourinho long predicted that the former Liverpool midfielder would have a successful career in management.
German football fans can breathe a sigh of relief that the end of a dominant era marshalled by the then-imperio Bayern Munich is gradually winding up.
Also, Borussia Dortmund who have always played second fiddle for as long as we can remember are still in the picture, and they could stun the footballing world by beating Real Madrid in the Champions League final at Wembley, further strengthening the reputation of the German Bundesliga.
The likes of the Premier League and La Liga have long dominated European football, thanks to their superior financial powers and global influence, but it is time for other European leagues to step up and challenge the elite, and with the rise of Bayer Leverkusen and other clubs in its subset, we can expect a growth in competition.
Conclusion
Bayer Leverkusen have had a fairytale season, in all ramifications. Regardless, of the humiliating defeat they suffered in Dublin at the hands of Atalanta, they can look back on what was a successful season in which they claimed a first domestic double.
However, they must look to strengthen their squad this summer to compete effectively in all competitions and also avoid a repeat of Dublin’s humiliation.
