44 games unbeaten

Madness! Leverkusen make soccer history

Bayer Leverkusen remain unbeaten in their 44th competitive match.(Bild: APA/AFP/Ben Stansall)

Unbeaten in 44 competitive matches: Bayer Leverkusen make soccer history and set a record for eternity. The newly-crowned German champions have broken Juventus Turin's twelve-year-old record.

In the quarter-finals of the Europa League, coach Xabi Alonso's team fought out a 1:1 draw at West Ham and advanced to the semi-finals after a 2:0 win in the first leg. AS Roma awaits them there. As so often this season, Leverkusen scored a late goal through Jeremie Frimpong (89th minute).

On course for the treble
In seven previous games, the "Werkself" had only averted defeat from the 90th minute onwards. Alonso's side thus set a new record for the top five leagues in England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France. No other team has managed such a streak so far this millennium. The previous record was held by Juventus with 43 unbeaten games from May 2011 to May 2012, and Leverkusen remain on course to win the treble. In the DFB Cup final on May 25, they will face second-division side 1. FC Kaiserslautern.

Leverkusen's last defeat dates back to May 27, 2023 - a 3-0 loss to VfL Bochum. Florian Wirtz & Co. face Borussia Dortmund at the weekend.