Unstoppable Bayer Leverkusen eye football history with 'invincible' streak

Coach Xabi Alonso's newly won Bundesliga title is just the tip of the iceberg in what has been an outstanding season, potentially culminating in a treble if they lift the DFB Pokal Cup (facing Kaiserslautern in the final on 25 May) and the Europa League (against Roma in the semifinals starting over two legs on 2 May and 9 May).

Their success is adorned with the sparkle of being unbeaten in all competitions this season. Their 45 matches without defeat are a record in major leagues, surpassing Juventus' 43-match streak in the 2011-12 season. 

"Records aren't something I like to dwell on too much, but once you achieve them, you try to appreciate them and understand they're the result of many good things. We don't want to dwell on it. When someone surpasses it in 10 years, we'll congratulate them, but for now, we're happy with the good results and the mentality we have to bounce back in tough moments," said Alonso, as quoted by MARCA.

As Alonso preaches, Bayer always rise. They remain unscathed even though they flirted with defeat in their last two matches. In the Europa League quarter-final second leg against West Ham, Frimpong's goal in the 89th minute prevented their first stumble of the 2023-24 season, securing a draw (1-1). And in Dortmund, Josip Stanisic's goal... in the 97th minute! preserved their unbeaten run, ending 1-1. The celebration of the goal, with the entire coaching staff and players jumping onto the pitch, exemplified the importance of remaining undefeated.

"Maintaining concentration in this manner isn't easy, but we have a challenge: to stay unbeaten. Every point helps us on the way," explained Granit Xhaka. Indeed, Leverkusen have not lost in the 30 matches played in this Bundesliga season (25 wins and five draws) and are four matches away from an unprecedented feat in 'fussball': finishing a league campaign undefeated.

Alonso aims to induct Leverkusen into the club of invincible champions. If his team avoids defeat against Stuttgart, Eintracht, Bochum, and Augsburg, they will achieve a record few teams have in major leagues. In the 21st century, only two teams accomplished this: Juventus in the 2011-12 Serie A season and Arsenal in the 2003-04 Premier League season. The 'gunners' earned the moniker 'Invincibles' and crowned their triumph in golden hues.

"We don't want to lose. The goal was very exciting, celebrating it with the fans was beautiful, and it means a lot to all of us," pointed out Xabi after drawing in Dortmund and 'enhancing' the record for the most consecutive unbeaten matches (30) from the start of the Bundesliga season, also snatched from Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich (28 in 2013-14).

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