Bayer Leverkusen’s Historic Europa League 2023-24 Run: Breaking Records and Eyeing Dublin
Bayer Leverkusen is making headlines in European football as they close in on breaking a long-standing record.
Xabi Alonso’s formidable team faces Roma in the Europa League semi-final with a chance to extend their unbeaten streak to 49 games, surpassing a historic mark set over five decades ago by Benfica.
Breaking a 59-year-old European football record will provide extra motivation for Xabi Alonso’s rampaging Bayer Leverkusen against Roma in their home second-leg Europa League semi-final on Thursday. If they win their match against Roma on Thursday, they will advance to the Europa League final in Dublin and will have won 49 games overall, which is the greatest streak in the annals of European sport.
From 1963 to 1965, a Eusebio-inspired Benfica went on a 48-game winning streak. Since since, the record has stood, but Leverkusen has a fantastic opportunity to shatter it.
Juventus’ 43-game winning streak from 2011 to 2012—the longest of any team in the top five European leagues—has already been surpassed by Alonso’s team.
Leverkusen defeated Roma 2-0 last week and may still advance to the championship game with a one-goal deficit, but shattering the mark would be an even greater accomplishment in an already incredible season.
Goalie and captain Lukas Hradecky of Leverkusen remarked that his team’s quest for an undefeated season provided “extra motivation” after Leverkusen equaled Benfica’s record with a 5-1 victory at Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday.
After the game, Hradecky said, “I can tell my granddaughter and grandson about this. It’s close.”
The Finn was speaking of the league campaign, in which Leverkusen needs two more games to go undefeated in order to become the first team in Bundesliga history. However, the team is only five games away from completing a perfect trifecta.
Leverkusen were not disturbed by Frankfurt, even if Alonso was forced to watch from the stands because of a ban for receiving too many yellow cards.
Leverkusen, who were named Bundesliga champions for the first time back in April, have advanced to the German Cup final, where they will take on Kaiserslautern of the second tier.
If they win on Thursday, they will play Marseille or Atalanta in the Europa League final in Dublin.
Leverkusen have only won two major titles in their history before to the start of the season. Alonso’s team has already won the Bundesliga, thus in the Spaniard’s first full season leading a major team, they might more than match their record trophy collection.
Rudi Voeller, the former sporting director and coach of Leverkusen, said on Thursday that hiring Alonso was a “perfect decision” and “brave and adventurous” move.
Leverkusen has a “outstanding squad” depth, according to Voeller, who was speaking with the Koelner Stadt-Anzeiger.
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In the football industry, it is uncommon to have strength not just in the front ranks but also in the sections that trail behind them. That’s the key to Bayer’s continued dominance.”There is yet hope for the treble. But whatever transpires, this is still a fantastic season. “Even though Alonso decided to rest players, Leverkusen has been able to maintain their incredible run.
On Sunday, wing-back Alex Grimaldo and attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz were completely left out of the starting lineup.
They’ve had a couple minor grievances in recent days. We were not willing to take any chances,” Alonso stated.
“They’ll train again from Tuesday.”
Despite the absence of Wirtz, their attacking midfield mainstay and assist producer Grimaldo, Leverkusen managed to score five goals.
In nine Europa League games this season, including the first leg in Rome, Wirtz has four goals and four assists.
Alonso declared during the Roma match, “He’s still 21 and has a great future ahead of him.” An hour after the game ended, the team celebrated with midfielder Wirtz on his 21st birthday at midnight in the dressing room.
For Wirtz and Leverkusen, beating Benfica’s record on Thursday might be the next big step in their amazing future, as they play at home for the second-last time this season with nearly a full strength roster.
