Berlin: Bayer Leverkusen, with a heroic performance despite being down to ten men, triumphed over second division Kaiserslautern with a 1-0 victory on Saturday, securing the German Cup and etching their name into the annals of history with their first ever domestic double. The Bundesliga champions displayed unwavering determination throughout the match, clinching the title in Berlin’s iconic Olympic stadium, set to host the Euro 2024 final in July.
The decisive moment came early in the game, as Granit Xhaka unleashed a thunderous strike from 20 meters out, finding the back of the net in the 16th minute. Despite facing adversity with Odilon Kossounou’s expulsion just before halftime, reducing them to ten men, Leverkusen maintained control of the game’s tempo. Kaiserslautern, unable to capitalize on the numerical advantage, failed to mount significant threats in the second half, allowing Leverkusen to comfortably secure the win and cap off a remarkable season with a second trophy.
Reflecting on the triumph, club CEO Fernando Carro expressed his satisfaction, stating, “It was a deserved victory. We could have added another goal but overall a fully deserved win. We lifted the Cup after we failed to do so Wednesday. Compliments to the team to win this double.” The victory marks a significant milestone for Leverkusen, a club often labeled as ‘Neverkusen’ due to their previous struggles in capturing major titles since their maiden German Cup triumph in 1993.
This triumph not only solidifies Leverkusen’s status as Bundesliga champions but also highlights their dominance throughout the season, culminating in an unprecedented achievement of winning the Bundesliga title without a single loss — a historic feat unmatched by any German team before them.
