Bayer Leverkusen has etched their name in European football history by extending their unbeaten streak to 49 consecutive matches. This remarkable feat was achieved in the second leg of the Europa League semi-final against AS Roma, where Leverkusen secured a 2-2 draw, winning 4-2 on aggregate and advancing to the Europa League final.
This historic moment came after a dramatic match that saw Leverkusen fighting back from a 2-0 deficit. Roma seemed to have the upper hand, but Leverkusen's never-say-die attitude was evident as they scored two late goals to maintain their unbeaten record. The equalizer, scored by Josip Stanisic in the 97th minute, was a testament to Leverkusen's incredible determination and spirit.
The German side, led by manager Xabi Alonso, has now surpassed the previous European record held by Portuguese club Benfica, who had a 48-match unbeaten run from 1963 to 1965. Leverkusen's last defeat was nearly a year ago, on May 27, 2023, in a Bundesliga match against Bochum. Since then, they have shown remarkable consistency across all competitions, including the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal, and the Europa League.
This season has been a dream run for Bayer Leverkusen, having already won the Bundesliga title and now on the cusp of achieving a historic treble. They will face Atalanta in the Europa League final on May 22 at Dublin's Aviva Stadium. This will be the club's third-ever European final, and their first since the 2001-02 Champions League.
The match against Roma showcased Leverkusen's depth of talent and mental fortitude. Despite being under immense pressure, they never lost their composure and kept pushing until the final whistle. Granit Xhaka, who played a pivotal role in the game, mentioned in a post-match interview that Leverkusen took pride in pursuing the record rather than just hanging on for a place in the final.
This achievement is not only a testament to the individual brilliance of players like Xhaka and Stanisic but also to the collective spirit and tactical acumen of the team under Alonso's guidance. The Spanish manager, who has already committed to staying with Leverkusen next season, has instilled a never-give-up attitude in his players, which has been evident throughout this record-breaking campaign.
As Bayer Leverkusen looks to wrap up their season with a treble, all eyes will be on Dublin for the Europa League final against Atalanta. Regardless of the result, this season will be remembered as one of the greatest in European football history, with Leverkusen etching their name in the annals of the sport as a team that never knew when they were beaten.
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