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Xabi Alonso says “the feeling is incredible” after Bayer Leverkusen clinched their first Bundesliga title with a 5-0 win over Werder Bremen remaining.
Bayern Munich beat Cologne on Saturday and Leverkusen will celebrate his name for at least a day.
But there were scenes of jubilation for Alonso’s side when the final whistle blew at the BayArena on Sunday.
“We have to enjoy and celebrate today with our families, friends and fans,” said Alonso, who showered with beer after the victory, according to German tradition. “It’s my first [full] season as a coach, the feeling is incredible. “
A penalty from Victor Boniface in the 25th minute put Leverkusen on track before Granit Xhaka and Florian Wirtz scored fine goals one after the other.
Fans stormed the pitch midway through the match when star Wirtz scored a fourth goal in the 82nd minute, and then returned when he scored a hat-trick shortly after.
Xhaka and Wirtz added that the feat has yet to be accomplished.
“Obviously, at the start of the season we couldn’t have imagined this,” said Xhaka, who joined Leverkusen from Arsenal last July.
Wirtz added: “Personally, I still can’t understand what has happened. I’ll need a few moments in the locker room to see what we’ve achieved. “
Leverkusen’s historic feat ended an era of dominance for Bayern, who had won recent Bundesliga titles.
Unbeaten in all competitions this season, Leverkusen remain on course for a treble in Alonso’s first full season in charge, with the German Cup and Europa League still in sight.
There has been a sense of inevitability surrounding Leverkusen’s Bundesliga victory for weeks now.
It’s more a matter of “when” than “if” the club would get a first Meisterschale, the championship badge.
Before kick-off, there was an atmosphere of anticipation at the BayArena, where fans enthusiastically greeted the Leverkusen team bus with confetti and flares.
Werder goalkeeper Michael Zetterer put an end to the early celebrations by preventing Piero Hincapie from finishing off Nathan Tella’s cross in the opening moments.
But the crowd erupted as Boniface went home after a video review by the assistant referee showed Julian Malatini getting into Jonas Hofmann’s area.
Werder came close to spoiling Leverkusen’s score just before the break, but Marvin Ducksch failed to get a header on target.
Xhaka’s fine shot from 25 yards on the hour mark put Alonso’s side in control, before Wirtz beat the former Arsenal midfielder with his own long-range shot.
Play temporarily resumed after fans returned to their seats following Wirtz’s second goal, but a sea of red and black shirts filled the pitch as the 20-year-old swept Leverkusen’s fifth goal, prompting the referee to blow the final whistle.
Leverkusen were in the relegation zone when Alonso took control in October 2022.
Just 18 months later, they are Bundesliga champions.
Reaction as Bayer Leverkusen win their first Bundesliga title