Winning the first Bundesliga title in their history this season, Bayer Leverkusen are preparing for life back in the Champions League next term.
A club that reached the Champions League final in 2002, manager Xabi Alonso and the current crop of players are looking to take Die Schwarzroten back to those dizzy heights.
Leverkusen Shake Things Up In Germany
Having seen Bayern Munich win the previous 11 Bundesliga titles, few expected Leverkusen to knock the Bavarian giants off their perch at the top of the game in Germany. Leverkusen, a side that are 2/5 with a bet on Europa League markets to win the competition this season, made a strong start to the Bundesliga campaign and never really looked back. Die Werkself, who are 3/4 in the Atalanta vs Leverkusen betting to win the Europa League final at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, were expected to drop points and allow the likes of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund back into the title race. However, Alonso’s squad were relentless in punishing any slip-ups from their rivals.
Winning the Bundesliga title with an impressive five games to spare, Leverkusen have caused a huge stir with their successful campaign in Germany. Undoubtedly, the likes of Bayern and Dortmund will look to come back stronger and try to make Leverkusen’s success seem like simply a flash in the pan. However, with Die Schwarzroten keeping hold of manager Alonso amid interest from the likes of Bayern, Manchester United and Liverpool, Leverkusen will take some stopping in the Bundesliga and have a chance to test themselves on the biggest stage of all next season.
Champions League The Real Acid Test
Heading back to Europe’s elite club competition next season, Leverkusen have the opportunity to test themselves against the best in the business. Die Werkself have previously won the UEFA Cup in 1988 and almost won the Champions League in 2002 but they suffered the heartbreak of a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Real Madrid in Glasgow.
Alonso’s side have some way to go before reaching the heights of a Champions League final but the foundations certainly look to be there in this squad. Leverkusen had the meanest defence in the Bundesliga this season and that’s solidity at the back is something that should hold them in good stead in Europe next term. The key over the summer months will be trying to keep hold of as many of the club’s prized assets as possible. A number of players have caught the eye with their efforts at the BayArena this season and the club must work hard to make sure these stars remain at the club to embark on their Champions League journey next season.
It has been a campaign that no Leverkusen supporters will ever forget but it feels like there is still plenty to come from this group of players. With Alonso steering the ship and also developing himself as a manager, all eyes will be on how the newly-crowned kings of Germany fare when they face the Champions League elite next season.
