Bayer Leverkusen ended the Bundesliga season unbeaten on Saturday and was presented with the championship trophy. There were a lot of emotions, a look forward – and a brake for the evening.
You couldn’t be more deserving to become champions: Bayer Leverkusen presented the trophy. IMAGO/Nordphoto
“That was very special. Also the atmosphere before the game and now with the bowl afterwards. You can see how much this first German championship title means to the fans and to us, it makes your eyes moist,” said sports director Simon Rolfes happily after the game Sky.
The Werkself had been champions for a long time, and on Saturday they won the cup. With the 2-1 win against Augsburg, Leverkusen did not lose for the 34th Bundesliga game in a row. Bayer thus rose to the elite circle of invincibles. “This is of course a unique experience, many fans have been waiting for this for a very long time. The fans have supported us even in difficult times, we are very connected to them,” said Bayer managing director Fernando Carro.
Jonas Hofmann also did everything right. The midfielder moved from Gladbach to Leverkusen before the season with ambitious goals. “The feeling of lifting the championship trophy is indescribable; you always want more,” said the midfielder, looking to the future. “We still have two games left, and of course we want to play them.”
Short party evening for the players
Despite all the celebrations, the focus in Leverkusen was of course also on the coming week. The Europa League final against Atalanta Bergamo is on Wednesday, and the DFB Cup final against second division Kaiserslautern awaits on Saturday. “We’ll enjoy it today. Tomorrow we’ll recover a bit and from Monday we’ll give it full throttle,” said master coach Xabi Alonso.
Rolfes felt the same way when he put a stop to a long night of partying. “We’re giving it the right framework this evening, but it’s also a shorter evening for the team. We have a huge goal on Wednesday. It’s wonderful here today, but it’ll continue on Wednesday and then Saturday,” said the official , who will also end earlier in solidarity.
Hofmann disappointed about not being nominated
After the game, Bayer behaved exactly as they have done all season: highly professional. “Atalanta will be a difficult task. We just have to play stable, concentrated and focused like we have done all season. It would be important to gain self-confidence for the final in Berlin on Wednesday,” said Carro, looking ahead to the coming week had an eye on next season: “We definitely want to be at the top of the Bundesliga again. We want to progress in the Champions League.”
Before the Champions League there is another Europa League. Hofmann is also going into the coming week with full focus – and wants to cover up the disappointment about not being considered for the European Championships in the summer. “So if I win three titles, then I’ll be very happy going into the summer break,” said Hofmann, who honestly admitted: “But of course, you’re disappointed, a tournament like this is something unique, especially in your own country. But you have to accept it, That’s how football is.”
2024-05-18 17:39:09
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