Leverkusen clinch Bundesliga glory in title-winning thumping of Bremen
A vastly changed Werkself flaunted a host of changes as Xabi Alonso entrusted his rotated squad to get the job done this afternoon. On his first start since injury, Victor Boniface almost constructed an 8th minute lead but for Zetterer's intervention. After one or two nervy moments, the breakthrough finally arrived. Julian Malatini felled Jonas Hofmann in the box. Boniface stepped forth to thump his penalty beyond Zetterer for 1-0.
As has been the case all season, Leverkusen's dominance and hunger didn't relinquish. Granit Xhaka flashed over from a corner, and a goalmouth scramble followed which was eventually hooked clear by Bremen's scrambling defence. At the other end, little fell kindly for visitors whose attack struggled to click into gear. The crossbar stood between Leverkusen and doubling their advantage before the break. Amine Adli denied from the most acute angle.
Ole Werner's side emerged stronger after the break. Half chances fell the way of Marvin Ducksch and Leonardo Bittencourt but yielded nothing. On the stroke of the hour the switch was flicked; party mode pandemonium ensued at the BayArena. With his last act, Boniface spotted the approaching Xhaka. The Swiss midfielder unfurled a wondrous shot from 25 yards that sailed into the top left corner.
The champions elect found themselves 5-0 to the good at the final whistle. Coming off the bench earlier in the half, Florian Wirtz firing in a spectacular second-half hattrick. Despite it's central flightpath, Zetterer simply stood no chance as Wirtz's first strike arced, swerved, and dipped beneath the aluminium before rattling the net. Wirtz added a fourth in the 85th minute. Hincapié's clearance found the German wonder-kid who remained ice cool infront of goal. Alejandro Grimaldo played in the 20-year-old on the angle to seal it in style. A first career hattrick for the Werkself talisman.
There were momentary stoppages after the Werkself faithful poured onto the field in ecstacy. With pyro smoke billowing and chanting galore, Leverkusen sealed their fate in immense fashion. Xabi Alonso and his players immortalise forever. An achievement worthy of its praise and adulation. Die Werkself grasping their maiden Meisterschale and a first taste of major silverware in 31 years. Bayer Leverkusen. Deutscher Meister 2023-24.