Bayer Leverkusen keep on making history.
Xabi Alonso’s side have ended Bayern Munich’s dominance of German football to win the Bundesliga, reached a first European final in more than two decades, and are on the longest unbeaten run since continental competition began.
Following their last-gasp 2-2 draw with Roma, Leverkusen are 49 matches unbeaten. This surpasses the previous record of 48 set by the Eusebio-led Benfica side between December 1963 and February 1965.
Their streak was already a record for a team from one of Europe’s big five leagues – the Bundesliga, Premier League, Ligue 1, La Liga and Serie A.
And if they can keep it going for just four more games then it could see them pull off arguably one of the greatest achievements in football history – an invincible treble.
With the league title wrapped up, they could still add the German Cup and Europa League to their trophy cabinet this season.
“You can’t count us out, not even for a second,” wing-back Jeremie Frimpong told TNT Sports after the aggregate victory over Roma.
“No-one gives up. Everyone knows that if we go down, we will get a goal.”
On 22 May, Leverkusen will face Italian side Atalanta in the Europa League final at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Hopes are high of a first European trophy in 36 years – and of keeping their unbeaten run going.
“You see the desire from the team, we didn’t want to slow down. We wanted to score the next goal to keep going unbeaten, 49 times now. We are proud of it,” Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka said.
“We have a lot of respect for Atalanta and first of all, we are happy to be in the final. We have time now to prepare and analyse, but we have some games to go still.”
