Bayer Leverkusen advances to the Europa League final after setting a record  in Europe with 49 successive wins without a loss

Bayer Leverkusen advances to the Europa League final after setting a record in Europe with 49 successive wins without a loss. It appeared they would lose, but they overcame a 2-0 deficit against AS Roma to draw 2-2 and advance to the Europa League final.

The Europa League semifinal second leg ended with a 2-2 tie for Bayer Leverkusen, who have now gone 49 games without losing. Despite being behind 2-0, Xabi Alonso’s team rallied for two goals in the closing minutes to tie the game and break Benfica’s record of 1963–1965 for the longest winning streak in post–World War II Europe. On aggregate, the German team won 4-2 and will play Atlanta on May 22. 

As per Leverkusen’s typical style, they managed to reverse two early penalties given to Roma, allowing Josip Stanisic to score the equalizer in the 97th minute of play. The team led by Xabi Alonso has previously overcome every obstacle to win the Bundesliga. In their quest to become the first team ever to go undefeated for a whole season while competing in European competition, they can now add the German Cup and the Europa League to their list of accomplishments. 

They are known as “Neverkusen” because, although finishing as runners-up five times, they had never won a Bundesliga title in their 120-year history before this season. They will now go by the new moniker, “Neverlusen.” They consistently turn matches around in late-game situations. 

Leverkusen has dominated their opponents 32–5 in all competitions since the 80th minute, and things only get better for Alonso’s team in stoppage time. Leverkusen has outscored its opponents 14-0 after the 90th minute, winning five games and drawing three more. 40 of the 49 games in their current unbeaten streak have been victories. 

Even if this season is already among the greatest in European soccer history, they can achieve something unprecedented with the unbeatable treble on the line. Even though there is interest from abroad, Alonso has already committed to guiding the squad for the upcoming season. However, the narrative is far from over, as they still have matches against Kaiserslautern in the DFB Pokal, Bochum and Augsburg in the Bundesliga, and Atlanta in the Europa League final. The end is in sight.

Leverkusen is unbeaten this season and hasn’t lost since losing to Bouchum on May 27, 2023. 

Credit: CBS Sports