Finally, Leipzig End Leverkusen’s 35-Game Unbeaten Run In Bundesliga
Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen’s winning streak in German football has now snapped and ended a run of 43 domestic matches, spanning 463 days without defeat.
The Bundesliga title holders suffered their first defeat since May 2023 as a 3-2 loss at home to RB Leipzig on Saturday broke their 35-match unbeaten run in the German top flight.
The last time Xabi Alonso and his men lost a competitive game on German soil was on May 27, 2023 away to Bochum (0-3) and that was two seasons ago.
It was a volatile match that had visiting coach Marco Rose sent to the stands in the first half, even as Leverkusen jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Jeremie Frimpong and Alex Grimaldo.
However, Kevin Kampl scored for Leipzig against the run of play just before half-time and Lois Openda levelled things up in the second half.
Openda scored again with 10 minutes remaining to secure victory for Leipzig against last season’s unbeaten league and cup winners.
Xabi Alonso’s side, who have scored 17 goals in the 88th minute or later this year, pushed to keep their record alive, but could not find an equaliser this time.
Ruminating over the unexpected defeat, Leverkusen captain Jonathan Tah said; “We had the chance to finish the game, but the goals we conceded were far too easy,”
Speaking in a post-match interview, Tah said; “We defend as a team, but we fell asleep a few times and of course we’re going to be punished”, adding; “We dozed off and paid the price which is defeat”.
On his part, Leipzig midfielder, 33 years old Kevin Kampl said after the match; “We knew it was going to be very hard to play here, Leverkusen play lethal football. We wanted to be courageous and get on the front foot. We know we’ve also got quality up front. We were ice-cold today.”
Leipzig Coach Marco Rose was sent to the stands after he was yellow-carded twice in quick succession in the first half for touchline outbursts after a foul on his player.
The 47 years old handler appeared to still be seething after Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface caught the head of Amadou Haidara while attempting a bicycle kick. He was upset Boniface escaped with a booking as Haidara needed to be replaced.
As expected, the final whistle on match day two in the new Bundesliga season, saw Leverkusen’s home ground, the BayArena, emptying out in a flash.
Amid a sea of vacated seats, an oversized digital display still read; “The Invincibles” in all caps, showing cartoon versions of local heroes like Florian Wirtz, Victor Boniface, Jeremie Frimpong and Granit Xhaka. The banner shone on brightly, as if in defiance of recent events.
In terms of match statistics alone, Leverkusen suffered an improbable loss against Leipzig. The German champions dominated their opponents in every key metric, including total shots (26 to Leipzig’s 8), corner kicks (18-2) and ball possession (63% to 37%).
