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The 31-year lapse illustrates just how stunning last season was in German football.
Germany's equivalent of the English FA's Community Shield puts the Bundesliga champions up against the German Cup winners or the second-placed league side.
Leverkusen, for decades the butt of "Neverkusen" jokes as German football's perennial runners-up, won their very first Bundesliga title in spectacular fashion.
Xabi Alonso's side became the first team in German history to win the league unbeaten, a record which has eluded even 33-time champions Bayern.
Leverkusen also won the German Cup and made it to the Europa League final, where their 3-0 loss to Atalanta was their only defeat in 53 games last season.
This story is from the August 17, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
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This story is from the August 17, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
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