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FC Bayern Munich

Bayer Leverkusen Vow to Defend German Top-Flight Title

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Bayer Leverkusen kick off their 2024-25 Bundesliga campaign against Borussia Moenchengladbach on Friday, with the club's players and coach Xabi Alonso vowing to defend their unprecedented league and cup double from last season. Leverkusen forward Nathan Tella is confident that his side can achieve great things again, saying "There's no reason why we can't defend the title". Tella's comments are a far cry from last year, when the club was still derided as 'Neverkusen' for failing to win a league title despite five second-place finishes.

Leverkusen's 2024-25 season started in familiar fashion, with striker Patrik Schick scoring an 88th-minute equaliser in the Super Cup against last year's runners-up Stuttgart before Leverkusen won on penalties. The club's success last season, including their run to the Europa League final, was set up by late goals from a side that did not know they were beaten.

Key Takeaways:

  • Bayer Leverkusen have set their sights on defending their German top-flight title, with forward Nathan Tella confidently stating that "There's no reason why we can't defend the title".
  • Leverkusen's success last season was fueled by late goals and a strong squad, with midfielder Granit Xhaka crediting coach Xabi Alonso for setting the tone for improvement in pre-season training.
  • Alonso has committed to stay on for at least another season, despite interest from several of his former clubs, and has praised the team's ability to evolve and improve.
  • Leverkusen held onto key players, including midfielder Florian Wirtz, and have set high standards for themselves to improve upon last season's achievements.
  • The club has been praised for its culture of constant improvement, with Alonso citing a desire to get better while already at the top, and Tella crediting the team's coach for believing in their ability to achieve great things.

Statistics:

  • Bayer Leverkusen finished the 2023-24 season as unbeaten champions.
  • The club won 27 league games, drew 4, and lost 1 during the 2023-24 season.
  • Leverkusen's midfielder Granit Xhaka played more minutes than any other outfield player last season, with 2,542 minutes on the field.
  • The club's forward Nathan Tella scored 7 goals and assisted 6 last season, while midfielder Florian Wirtz was a key player in the squad.
  • Bayer Leverkusen has not won consecutive Bundesliga titles since Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund in 2012.

Sources:

  • AFP
  • [No additional sources provided in the original text]

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