It was May of 2002 when Bayer Leverkusen were on the verge of the Treble as they reached the UEFA Champions League final, DFB Pokal (German Cup) showdown and were five points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table with just three rounds to go.Led by impeccable, super-talented and gracious midfielder Michael Ballack, they stunned everyone by flying past Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Bayern Munich on their path to glory and eternity. Alas, it ended awfully for this charming side.🚨🇩🇪 Bayer Leverkusen can officially WIN the Bundesliga today… ⌛️All Xabi Alonso’s side need to do is beat Werder Bremen at home. pic.twitter.com/MZT35OvouQ— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) April 14, 2024 The domestic cup final saw them getting battered 4-2 by Schalke 04; the UCL final was decided with that legendary Zinedine Zidane’s volley; last, but not least, Bayer somehow managed to throw away the advantage in the Bundesliga, too, as Borussia Dortmund stormed to the trophy in the last seconds of that awkward season.That’s the reason they were labelled a ‘Neverkusen’, a cursed team, a side that would never clinch any title. And – quite frankly – for more than two decades that followed Bayer really lived up to those expectations. A surreal downfall saw them miles away from any possible silverware as Bayern Munich imposed a wholesome domination with as many as ten consecutive Bundesliga titles.But then came Xabi…##NAJAVA_MECA_8028095##The former Liverpool and Real Madrid holding midfielder turned into an immaculate tactician and pushed until-then modest slot to unprecedented heights.It’s mid-April and Leverkusen are again on the brink of the Treble. Only, this time, it seems they can finally go all the way. The first one to pick up is the Bundesliga crown, waiting for them on Sunday afternoon. They just need to beat a below-par Werder Bremen, the very same club that beat them twice 22 years ago and probably deserves the most credit for Leverkusen’s failure in the domestic championship.😱 Ballack’s own goal😥 A lost UCL final in 2002🥈 Too many 2nd places Once a running joke in German football, is this the end of Bayer “Neverkusen”?#Bundesliga pic.twitter.com/mdGPnH4zpE— DW Sports (@dw_sports) April 13, 2024 Xabi Alonso’s clever army is 13 points clear of Bayern Munich and a much-expected home victory would crown them – deservedly!But they probably won’t celebrate it too much or too loud, as there are two more challenges ahead of them. It’s a payback time for Cleverkusen!BUNDESLIGA – MATCHDAY 29FridayAugsburg – Union Berlin 2-0 (0-0)/Tietz 47, Michel 81/Saturday Bayern – Koln 2-0 (0-0)/Guerreiro 65, Muller 90+3/Bochum – Heidenheim 1-1 (0-0)/Schlotterbeck 90 – Schlotterbeck 81 og/M’ gladbach – Dortmund 1-2 (0-2)/Wober 36 – Sabitzer 22, 28 pen/RB Leipzig – Wolfsburg 3-0 (1-0)/Olmo 13, Sesko 68, Openda 82/Mainz – Hoffenheim 4-1 (0-1)/Burkardt 47, Mwene 51, Gruda 63, Onisiwo 89 – Kaderabek 19/Stuttgart – Eintr. Frankfurt 3-0 (3-0)/Guirassy 11, Undav 17, Leweling 37/Sunday 16:30: (4.10) Darmstadt (3.50) Freiburg (1.90)18:30: (1.20) Leverkusen (6.75) Werder (14.0)***odds are subject to change***
