Bayer Leverkusen enjoyed a remarkable 2023-34 season as they dethroned Bayern Munich from the summit of the Bundesliga table. Leverkusen did a domestic double in an invisible domestic season demonstrating their exceptional form and consistency throughout the season under the leadership of Xabi Alonso.
They went a remarkable 35 matches unbeaten in the Bundesliga spanning over 15 months. However, their dream run has finally come to an end after a defeat at the hands of RB Leipzig on match week 2 of the 2024-25 season. Xabi Alonso’s men held a comfortable 2-0 lead in the first half but a brace from Lois Openda and a first-half strike from Kevin Kampl completed a memorable comeback for Die Roten Bullen. With this win, Leipzig moved to the top of the table on six points with Leverkusen in ninth on three points.
“Kampl’s goal before the break initiated a change. We didn’t have as much control in the second half, then it was too easy for Leipzig.” Bayer Lerkusen’s manager Xabi Alonso said after the loss. “We accept the defeat, it’s tough, but that’s soccer. We still have to improve a lot, especially against the ball,” he added.
This is Leverkusen’s first league defeat since a 3-0 defeat away to Bochum a couple of seasons ago.
Who Holds the Longest Bundesliga Unbeaten Record?
Bayer Leverkusen’s defeat on Matchday 2 means that they were unable to beat the record for the longest unbeaten run in the Bundesliga. The record is currently held by Bayern Munich who went undefeated for an astonishing 53 games from 3 Nov 2012 to 29 March 2014 under the leadership of Pep Guardiola. During this time, Guardiola secured his first of three Bundesliga titles, although his initial defeat came at the hands of Jürgen Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund in the season-opening Super Cup.
Hamburger SV holds the record for the second-longest undefeated run in the Bundesliga with 36 games from 30 Jan 1982 to 22 Jan 1983 and Bayer Leverkusen sits third with 35 games unbeaten run.
Borussia Dortmund went undefeated for 31 games under the leadership of Jurgen Klopp from 24 September 2011 to 15 September 2012 and Bayern Munich complete the top 5, going unbeaten for 27 games from 3 May 1988 to 25 March 1989.
Bayer Leverkusen also went 51 games unbeaten in all competitions which is the longest in European football history. The 51 games included 32 Bundesliga games, 5 German Cup matches, and 12 Europa League games. Their run was ended by Italian side Atalanta in the UEFA Europa League final in 2024.
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Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
