Undefeated Bayer Leverkusen have secured their first Bundesliga title with a 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen, breaking an 11-year stranglehold on the league by Bayern Munich and making history after 120 years of waiting.
With five games left, Xabi Alonso's squad, who have gone a league-record 29 games without losing this season to win their first trophy since 1993, leads Bayern by 16 points.
Florian Wirtz scored a hat trick in a victory that extended Leverkusen's unbeaten streak in all competitions to an incredible 43 games this season. The team left nothing to chance and won the title at the first possible moment.
"I cannot describe this," Germany international Wirtz said. "I personally can still not realize this has happened. I will need a few moments in the changing room to understand what we have achieved."
Xabi Alonso, who took over as coach when Leverkusen was in the relegation zone in October 2022, reflected on ending Bayern's dominance.
"Perhaps it's healthy for the Bundesliga, also for German football, for another team to win," said Alonso, who won three Bundesliga titles with Bayern as a midfielder from 2015-17.
"It's a great joy and we have to enjoy it. We need a bit more time to realize what we've achieved. But it's a super moment and yes, we'll see what happens next," Alonso said, referring to the other trophies that his team can win this season.
"But now is the time to celebrate."
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