Never Say Never Again
World Soccer|March 2024
Bayer Leverkusen are determined to shake off their tag of perennial runners-up
Nick Bidwell
Never Say Never Again

As Leverkusen set a blistering pace atop the German top flight – remaining unbeaten in their first 18 fixtures to move seven points clear at the summit – older Bundesliga watchers could be excused for experiencing flashbacks to the1997-98 campaign, when newly-promoted Kaiserslautern defied the odds to scoop the title ahead of perennial champions Bayern Munich.

Then, as now, the narrative is word for word. Everyone expecting Kaiserslautern/ Leverkusen to slip up and be overhauled by Bayern, only for the unfancied outsiders to relentlessly maintain their winning momentum. Could we be in for one of those all-too uncommon occurrences in the German elite: Bayern forced to play second fiddle?

Should Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso and his merry men continue to make magic all the way to the finishing line, thus securing their firstever championship shield, legendary status will be assured. And not only in this corner of the Rhineland; equally euphoric would be the massed ranks of the “anyone but Bayern brigade”, the supporters up and down the land who bristle at the Bavarian giants’ outrageous dominance and who would dearly love to see more power-sharing.

Little wonder the atmosphere at the BayArena is electric at the moment. Not only is their Bundesliga title tilt in great shape; they have also run riot in the Europa League, winning all six group games. According to the bookmakers, only Liverpool are more likely to lift the trophy than Leverkusen. Their competitive record in the first half of this season (26 matches, 23 wins, three draws, zero losses, 82 goals scored and 18 conceded) is the absolute stuff of dreams. Indeed, no German pro side has ever begun a campaign with such a long unvanquished run.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 2024-Ausgabe von World Soccer.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 2024-Ausgabe von World Soccer.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS WORLD SOCCERAlle anzeigen
Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
World Soccer

Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer

There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer

time-read
5 Minuten  |
July 2024
Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer
World Soccer

Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer

The well-travelled Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer after taking charge of the Philippines-his 11th international coaching role

time-read
4 Minuten  |
July 2024
Inter cruise to title number 20
World Soccer

Inter cruise to title number 20

Simone Inzaghi's Internazionale shrug off all challengers before sealing the Serie A title in style against their biggest rivals

time-read
3 Minuten  |
July 2024
HAT-TRICK HERO
World Soccer

HAT-TRICK HERO

Ademola Lookman wrote his name into European football's history books with a hat-trick in the Europa League final

time-read
6 Minuten  |
July 2024
GOING UP
World Soccer

GOING UP

The story of Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres' career has been one of upward trajectory - and there's plenty more to come from the Sporting superstar

time-read
6 Minuten  |
July 2024
Palau soldier on alone
World Soccer

Palau soldier on alone

The isolated Pacific nation faces a long and lonely battle to improve football on the island

time-read
2 Minuten  |
July 2024
Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six
World Soccer

Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six

As the Copa Libertadores group stage concludes, a sixth consecutive Brazilian winner is looking likely

time-read
3 Minuten  |
July 2024
AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown
World Soccer

AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown

The first edition of the Saudi Pro League's glamorous new era ends with a familiar title winner

time-read
3 Minuten  |
July 2024
Disasters brewing
World Soccer

Disasters brewing

There is still a long way to go in World Cup qualifying, but dysfunction reigns at Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria after four matchdays in the group stage

time-read
3 Minuten  |
July 2024
Second round of World Cup qualifying underway
World Soccer

Second round of World Cup qualifying underway

Favourites perform largely as expected, yet Cayman Islands dominate the headlines

time-read
3 Minuten  |
July 2024