8 months ago
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BAYER LEVERKUSEN celebrated their Bundelisga title in wild fashion after beating Werder Bremen.
Fans invaded the pitch at full-time and the players continued the party into the dressing room.
Got him! 
#Winnerkusen #DeutscherMeisterSVB @XabiAlonso pic.twitter.com/wDPgBVykGz
Your turn, Granit! 
#Winnerkusen #DeutscherMeisterSVB #Xhaka pic.twitter.com/LfJR2DJ1uR
X @@bayer04_en
X @@bayer04_en
AP
X/@bayer04_enLeverkusen’s title was the club’s first ever top flight crown and first trophy since 1993.
The club still have the possibility of winning a treble as they are in the final of the DFB-Pokal and one step away from the Europa League semi-finals.
However, that did not stop the players from enjoying themselves after sealing the Bundesliga title.
Manager Xabi Alonso was the victim of being covered in beer on two occasions.
The first came in the dressing room as Josip Stanišić poured a class of lager over his head.
The second came during his press conference as his players ran in and soaked him in litres of beer.
Striker Victor Boniface also delivered a pouring of beer over the Spaniard’s heads.
Another clip online showed stars such as Edmond Tapsoba and Álex Grimaldo singing together and spraying more beer.
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Star full-back Jeremie Frimpong live streamed part of the jubilations.
Fans spotted a moment during the stream in which he spoke to former Arsenal star Granit Xhaka.
Frimpong teased the midfielder by saying, “You came from Arsenal and you won it here.”
Xhaka was also a recipient of having beer poured over his head, while Frimpong also splashed Tapsoba after chasing him around the dressing room.
West Ham fans also popped up on social media, with many saying, “Drink up” ahead of the club’s Europa League second leg on Thursday.
The Hammers are currently 2-0 down after goals from Jonas Hofmann and Boniface.
Sorry, Xabi – you can't stop @boniface_jrn 
#Winnerkusen #DeutscherMeisterSVB @XabiAlonso pic.twitter.com/11hIemxJxr
@JeremieFrimpong is a HERO! #Winnerkusen #DeutscherMeisterSVB pic.twitter.com/c7UDtyuxnc
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X @@bayer04_enOne Hammers fan posted: “Drink as much as you need lads, as much as you need.”
A second wrote: “Keep drinking, season over lads.”
Another joked: “Remember to stop drinking roughly about 10pm Thursday night.”
Leverkusen were not the only team to have some wild celebrations this weekend.
Wrexham celebrated achieving back-to-back promotions after sealing their spot in League One with a thumping win over Forest Green Rovers.
How Xabi Alonso transformed Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen are the story of European football this season after being transformed by Xabi Alonso. CHARLIE WYETT looks at this stunning turnaround at the BayArena.
FROM RELEGATION BATTLERS TO CHAMPIONS-IN-WAITING, IS THIS ALL DOWN TO ALONSO?
In a nutshell, yes. He was appointed on October 5, 2022 when Leverkusen were second from bottom in the Bundesliga with five points from their opening eight games but incredibly, they ended up finishing sixth.
Now, they are 16 points clear of Bayern with six games left.
WHAT ARE HIS TACTICS?
A hallmark of Alonso teams is a commitment to a fast-paced approach. With the ball, he likes to dominate possession and play in compact triangles but, a bit like Jurgen Klopp, he likes to get the ball up early into the final third.
This season, 3-4-2-1 has become his preferred formation, with three centre-backs, wing-backs, a double-pivot in midfield and three forward players.
WHAT ABOUT HIS TRANSFER BUSINESS?
All eyes in Germany last summer were on Harry Kane’s arrival at Bayern Munich but Leverkusen delivered some clever work in the transfer market.
They lost last season’s 14-goal top scorer Moussa Diaby to Aston Villa for £43million but spent the money wisely.
Granit Xhaka arrived from Arsenal and is known as The King. Germany winger Jonas Hofmann joined for just £8.5m and left-back Alejandro Grimaldo was snapped up from Benfica on a free tranfer.
Victor Boniface, top scorer in last season’s Europa League with six goals, signed from Union Saint-Gilloise for just £17.2m.
SO WHAT ARE LEVERKUSEN’S STRENGTHS?
They have been scintillating up front. Attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz, 20, has been outstanding, along with Xhaka, centre-back Jonathan Tah and joint top-scorer at Euro 2020 Patrik Schick.
Nigerian Boniface was a huge success until his injury at the Africa Cup of Nations but he has just returned.
WHAT WAS THE REACTION WHEN ALONSO CONFIRMED HE WOULD STAY FOR NEXT SEASON?
As you would expect, the club’s fans — fearing their manager was off to Liverpool or Bayern Munich — were absolutely delighted. But inside the club there was not much surprise.
Sporting director Simon Rolfes enjoys a great relationship with Alonso, who earns £5m-a-year.
DID HE EXPECT TO DO
THIS WELL?
In his first press conference of the season, Alonso was asked whether he was aiming for the Bundesliga title. He surprised the journalists by saying: “August is not the time to speak about medals but let’s see in May . . . ”
WHO WILL THEY SELL NEXT?
The club have a remarkable record of nurturing and selling top talent, including Kai Havertz (Chelsea) and Son Heung-min (Tottenham).
Now, it looks as though Wirtz could be next, although he would cost over £100m. Arsenal full-back target Jeremie Frimpong, 23, has a £34m release clause.
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