'Unimaginable feeling' – Alonso celebrates Leverkusen title

Xabi Alonso says “the sensation is unbelievable” after Bayer Leverkusen clinched their first Bundesliga title with 5 video games remaining due to a 5-0 win over Werder Bremen.

However when the ultimate whistle blew on the BayArena on Sunday, there have been scenes of pleasure for Alonso's workforce.

“We now have to get pleasure from and rejoice right this moment with our households, pals and followers,” mentioned Alonso, who was showered with beer after the victory in accordance with German custom. “It was my first (full) season as a coach, the sensation is unbelievable.”

Victor Boniface's Twenty fifth-minute penalty gave Leverkusen the lead, adopted by fast targets from Granit Xhaka and Florian Wirtz.

Supporters flocked to the sector halfway by the match when star participant Wirtz scored his fourth purpose within the 82nd minute and shortly after he accomplished a hat-trick.

Zaka and Wirtz mentioned the feat is just not but full.

“Clearly, firstly of the season we couldn't have imagined this,” mentioned Xhaka, who joined Leverkusen from Arsenal final July.

Wertz mentioned: “I personally nonetheless don't understand it has occurred. I’ll want a number of moments within the altering room to grasp what we now have achieved.”

Leverkusen's historic achievement ended an period of dominance by Bayern, which had gained the earlier 11 Bundesliga titles.

Unbeaten in all competitions this season, Leverkusen are headed for a exceptional treble in Alonso's first full season in cost, with the German Cup and Europa League nonetheless of their sights.

Leverkusen completed the job in type

There was a sense of inevitability about Leverkusen's Bundesliga victory for the previous a number of weeks.

It has been a query of 'when' relatively than 'if' that the membership will get its first Meisterschel – championship defend.

There was an environment of anticipation across the BayArena earlier than kick-off as followers eagerly greeted the Leverkusen workforce bus with confetti and flares.

Werder keeper Michael Zetterer had his celebrations prematurely stopped when he prevented Piero Hincapie from tapping in Nathan Tella's cross within the opening moments.

However the dwelling crowd erupted when Boniface headed dwelling from the spot after the video assistant referee's investigation confirmed Julian Maltini blocking Jonas Hofmann within the penalty space.

Werder got here near spoiling Leverkusen's social gathering simply earlier than the break, however Marvin Daksh was unable to direct his glancing header on course.

Xhaka's very good 25-yard shot put Alonso's aspect firmly in management, earlier than Wirtz fired his long-range effort previous the previous Arsenal midfielder.

Supporters returned to their seats after Wirtz's second, however play restarted when the 20-year-old headed dwelling Leverkusen's fifth purpose, forcing the referee to blow the ultimate whistle. Once more a crowd of pink and black shirts gathered.

When Alonso took cost in October 2022, Leverkusen had been within the relegation zone.

Barely 18 months later, they’re Bundesliga champions.