Bayer “Neverlusen” brought back down to earth after Atalanta upset
Bayer Leverkusen suffered their first defeat of the season, falling 3-0 at the hands of Atalanta in the Europa League final in Dublin on Wednesday night.
An Ademola Lookman hat-trick secured victory for the Italians, and in doing so, it meant Leverkusen’s staggering unbeaten run in all competitions came to an end, 51 games and 361 days, a streak stretching back to a 3-0 loss against VfL Bochum in May 2023.
Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini’s side had already knocked out favourites Liverpool on route to the final, and the win over their German opponents now means they have their first-ever European trophy, thanks to the former Everton and RB Leipzig forward Lookman.
“No one ever imagined Lookman could make this much progress,” said Gasperini post-match of the 26-year-old. “He did something that will remain in the annals of history. He has carried himself as an incredible player and a match-winner.”
Leverkusen were looking to break further records, having already secured their first-ever German title this season by winning 28, drawing six, and losing none of their 34 league games. On the domestic front, among Europe’s top-tier divisions, Arsenal enjoyed an unbeaten streak of 49 league games from May 2003 to October 2004, a period that included their legendary ‘Invincibles’ season.
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Leverkusen were also seeking to eclipse the historic unbeaten streak held by AC Milan as Fabio Capello’s ‘Invincibili’ remained undefeated in 58 consecutive Serie A games from May 1991 until March 1993.
Xabi Alonso’s “Neverlusen” was certainly in the limelight prior to the match in the Irish capital, having gone into Europe’s secondary competition on their remarkable run of form. The German champions secured a last-gasp 2-2 draw with Roma in the semi-finals to book their place in the Europa League final, eyeing their first European trophy in 36 years, following their first back in 1988.
It meant Leverkusen went 49 matches unbeaten back then and surpassed the previous record of 48 set by the Eusebio-led Benfica side between December 1963 and February 1965. Their unbeaten streak had already set a record for a team from one of Europe’s major football leagues: the Bundesliga, Premier League, Ligue 1, La Liga, and Serie A.
Though despite their setback on Wednesday night against Atalanta, which saw their blistering run end, and an unprecedented treble now out of the window, they still have another trophy to contest at the weekend.