In a season for the history books, Bayer Leverkusen secured their first-ever domestic double by edging past second-division Kaiserslautern 1-0 to claim the DFB-Pokal title on Saturday.
Bayer Leverkusen clinch historic domestic double with DFB-Pokal triumph
The win capped off a stellar season under new manager Xabi Alonso, who has revitalized the club since his arrival.
The match at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, a venue set to host the Euro 2024 final, saw Leverkusen take an early lead through Granit Xhaka.
The Swiss international unleashed a thunderous strike from distance in the 16th minute, leaving Kaiserslautern’s goalkeeper with no chance.
This moment of brilliance set the tone for the game, showcasing why Xhaka remains one of the most formidable midfielders in European football.
Leverkusen dominated the first half, dictating the pace and maintaining control despite a significant setback just before halftime.
Odilon Kossounou received his second yellow card, reducing Leverkusen to 10 men. However, Alonso’s side displayed remarkable resilience and tactical discipline to manage their lead.
The second half saw Kaiserslautern struggle to create any substantial threats. Leverkusen’s defensive solidity, coupled with their intelligent game management, ensured that their opponents were kept at bay.
Even with a numerical disadvantage, Leverkusen’s composure never wavered, a testament to the belief instilled by Alonso.
This victory marked Leverkusen’s second DFB-Pokal win in their 89-year history, the first since the 1992-93 season. Reflecting on the achievement, Xabi Alonso expressed immense pride in his team’s performance.
“Winning the double is a monumental success. The team’s belief and willingness to battle, especially with ten players, is something I am incredibly proud of,” Alonso said.
“This season has been a dream, and ending it with such a celebration is truly special.”
Leverkusen’s domestic success came on the heels of a near-perfect season. The club lifted their inaugural Bundesliga title and remained unbeaten in Europe for a record 51 matches until a 3-0 loss to Atalanta in the Europa League final.
¡EL BAYERN LEVERKUSEN CAMPEÓN DE LA DFB POKAL! 🏆 🇩🇪
El cuadro de Xabi Alonso cierra un año casi perfecto tras vencer en la final al Kaiserslautern 🔝
43 victorias, 9 empates y una derrota en todo el año futbolísticas 🔥 pic.twitter.com/HBwakmaHSL
— ESPN.com.do🇩🇴 (@ESPN_DO) May 25, 2024
This defeat, their sole blemish in an otherwise flawless season, prevented a historic treble. However, Leverkusen’s overall record remains impressive, with 43 wins, nine draws, and just one loss in 53 matches across all competitions.
Under Alonso’s leadership, Leverkusen have not only secured silverware but have also played an attractive brand of football. His decision to stay at the club, despite interest from Bayern Munich, has been a significant boost for Leverkusen.
With Alonso at the helm, the club is poised to defend their league title and continue their upward trajectory in the upcoming 2024-25 season.
Leverkusen’s fans, who have witnessed their team’s transformation and triumph, now look forward to the future with optimism.
The remarkable double win is not just a triumph of skill and strategy, but also a testament to the unity and determination of a team that dared to dream and delivered spectacularly.
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