Professional Sports Commentary: Invincible Bayer Leverkusen is on the road to end Bayern’s Munchen 10-year dominance
March 27, 2024
By Ariston Nishevci
Staff Writer
History is in the making this soccer season if Bayer Leverkusen dethrones Bayern Munchen. This would be the first time in a decade that Bayern Munchen didn’t win the league.
For the last ten years in the Bundesliga, which is the German top division, Bayern Munchen has been a champion. It has been consistently the best team in Germany with all the top talents such as striker Robert Lewandoski, retired left-back Phillip Lahm, midfielder Thomas Müller, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, retired right-winger Arjen Robben, retired left-winger Frank Ribery along with many more.
For many years, Bayern Munchen’s only rival for the title has been Borussia Dortmund, which tried and failed many times to dethrone Bayern Munchen. The most painful attempt was last season when all Dortmund needed to do to win the league was to win a simple game against Mainz on the final day of the season. Dortmund ended up tying, and Bayern Munchen won their game in the 90th minute with a brilliant strike by midfielder Jamal Musiala.
Leverkusen, on the other hand, has never won the Bundesliga. Its best attempt was back in 2002 when Leverkusen went to the final of the league cup, was top of the league on the final day and was in the Champions League final. Leverkusen lost all three competitions.
Leverkusen lost 4-2 to Schalke in the league cup final. It lost the league on the final day to Borussia Dortmund. Then, it lost the Champions League final to Real Madrid 2-1. This famous season, which left Leverkusen fans in tears, led rival fans and soccer fans around the world to nickname the team “Bayer Leverkusen.”
No one expected Leverkusen to be doing so well this season. If you compare the teams on paper, Bayern Munchen should be dominating, but that is not the case.
Bayern Munchen’s team is stacked with stars, but its most notable player currently is striker Harry Kane. Kane has never won a trophy, which doesn’t make sense because he is one of the best strikers in the world.
Bayern Munchen’s key players are Kane, who has 31 goals and 7 assists in the Bundesliga, Müller, who has 2 goals and 7 assists, wonder kid Musiala, who has 10 goals and 5 assists and Leroy Sané, who has 8 goals and 11 assists this season.
Leverkusen is currently 10 points clear of Bayern Munchen, and this will be the first time in 10 years that Bayern Munchen wouldn’t win the league. It would also be the first time Leverkusen would ever win it. Not only that, but Leverkusen would be invincible.
That is Bayern Munchen’s attack, but its midfield and defenders are just as good. Midfielder Leon Goretzka, midfielder and captain Joshua Kimmich have been essential for Bayern Munchen for 10 and seven seasons, respectively. This season is no different as they have been controlling the midfield like they always have been.
Their back line consists of center-back Matthijs De Ligt, left-back Alphonso Davies, right-back Nassr Mazaroui. Goalkeeper and legend Neuer has also been solid this season despite being 38 years old.
Also center-back Dayot Upamecano.
Leverkusen’s key players have always been underrated, so I’m not surprised by how well they are doing, especially 20-year-old Florian Wirtz who has 7 goals and 10 assists. Victor Boniface has 10 goals and 7 assists, Jonas Hofmann has 5 goals and 6 assists, Alejandro Grimaldo has 9 goals and 11 assists and youngster Jeremie Frimpong has 8 goals and 7 assists.
Leverkusen’s attack has been stellar, but its midfield has been the main reason for its success. The commanding Albanian midfielder Granit Xhaka has been pivotal as he is the most creative midfielder on the team. Robert Andrich and Exequiel Palacios are interchangeable in the midfield and are both solid.
Leverkusen’s back three consists of center-back Pireo Hinacpié. Goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky has made a massive comeback this season. Center-back Edmond Tapsoba, Center-back Jonathan Tah.
These players have led Leverkusen to be undefeated this season. The mastermind behind the tactics, however, is soccer legend and now manager of Leverkusen, Xabi Alonso. His man-management skills and strategies are what makes his team so great.
Bayern’s manager, Thomas Tuchel is not doing so well. His tactics are failing and just outright terrible, but the only reason they look like they work is because the star players bail the team out of bad situations. That is why when Bayern Munchen plays a good team like Leverkusen, they get completely dominated.
Tuchel should have never been appointed, especially when Bayern Munchen had a good manager, Julian Nagelsman, who was leading Bayern Munchen to the title.
Leverkusen is currently 10 points clear of Bayern Munchen, and this will be the first time in 10 years that Bayern Munchen wouldn’t win the league. It would also be the first time Leverkusen would ever win it. Not only that, but Leverkusen would be invincible.
This was evident at the end of last season because Bayern Munchen was lucky to beat Dortmund to the title. The 10-year run has built up a lot of arrogance on the Bayern Munchen side. The players think they can go into a game and the other team will just let them win, but the reason they won the league for 10 years straight is because they did the exact opposite of that.
This season will likely be a reality check for Bayern Munchen so it can stop taking teams lightly. As for Leverkusen, they are doing a great job. This is a big moment in Leverkusen’s history, and the team has great players. It’s nice to see them finally succeed, and it’s nice to see an underdog win the Bundesliga for a change.
