Bayer Leverkusen has etched their name in the annals of European football history by extending their unbeaten run to an unprecedented 49 matches, culminating in a dramatic 2-2 draw against AS Roma in the Europa League semifinals. The resilient performance overturned a 2-0 deficit, allowing Leverkusen to surpass Benfica’s long-standing record from the mid-1960s and set a new benchmark for the longest unbeaten streak in post-World War II European football.
The match, held on Thursday, was a testament to Leverkusen’s fighting spirit under the guidance of coach Xabi Alonso. Despite facing early setbacks due to two penalties awarded to Roma, Leverkusen staged a remarkable comeback, with Josip Stanisic delivering the crucial equalizer in the 97th minute, sealing the aggregate victory at 4-2. This triumph not only propels them into the Europa League final against Atalanta on May 22 but also underscores their potential to achieve a historic treble, having already clinched the Bundesliga title.
Previously nicknamed ‘Neverkusen’ for their history of near misses in the Bundesliga, the club’s newfound resilience has sparked a shift towards a more fitting moniker, ‘Neverlusen’. This change reflects their recent knack for reversing fortunes, particularly in the closing stages of matches. From the 80th minute onward, Leverkusen’s offensive prowess has been dominant, outscoring opponents 32-5 across all competitions and maintaining a flawless record in stoppage time with 14 goals and no concessions.
Leverkusen’s season could be one for the history books, with the team positioned to complete an undefeated season across all competitions—an unprecedented feat in European football. With Alonso committed to remaining at the helm despite attracting interest from other clubs, the team looks forward to concluding their remarkable campaign with upcoming matches against Bochum and Augsburg in the Bundesliga, Kaiserslautern in the DFB Pokal, and the highly anticipated Europa League final against Atalanta.
As Bayer Leverkusen continues to defy expectations and rewrite records, their journey remains one of the most compelling narratives in sports, illustrating a remarkable transformation from perennial underachievers to continental powerhouses.
