Leverkusen Poised to Break 59-Year European Unbeaten Record
Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen, on the cusp of a historic achievement, will face Roma in the second leg of the Europa League semi-final on Thursday. With a 2-0 advantage from the first leg, Leverkusen is poised to extend their unbeaten streak to 49 games, surpassing Benfica’s 59-year-old European football record.
Leverkusen’s remarkable run has already eclipsed Juventus’ 43-match unbeaten streak from 2011 to 2012. A victory or even a one-goal loss against Roma would secure their place in the Europa League final in Dublin.
The pursuit of an unbeaten season has become a driving force for Leverkusen. Goalkeeper and captain Lukas Hradecky believes it provides “extra motivation” and is a testament to the team’s resilience.
Despite Alonso’s suspension, Leverkusen cruised to a 5-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday, showcasing their depth and determination. They are also through to the German Cup final and have already secured the Bundesliga title.
Former Leverkusen coach Rudi Voeller praised Alonso’s “brave and adventurous” decision to hire him and highlighted the team’s exceptional squad depth. He believes that Leverkusen’s ability to strengthen not only their starting lineup but also their reserves is the key to their unbeaten run.
Leverkusen is expected to welcome back Florian Wirtz and Alex Grimaldo for the second leg against Roma. Wirtz, a key attacking midfielder, has been instrumental in Leverkusen’s Europa League campaign with four goals and four assists.
With a near-full-strength squad and the home advantage, Leverkusen is well-positioned to break Benfica’s record and continue their pursuit of an unprecedented treble.