Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen extended their record unbeaten streak to 45 games and counting - but they did it the hard way.
Xabi Alonso's side needed a 97th-minute intervention to rescue a 1-1 draw on the road to Borussia Dortmund on Sunday. But the Factory Squad were seconds from seeing their undefeated season halted before Josip Stanisic's last-ditch intervention.
Bayer Leverkusen struck in the 97th minute to keep their unbeaten campaign alive
The defender - who's nearing the end of his season-long loan from Bayern Munich - rose high to meet a Florian Wirtz corner deep into injury time at the Westfalenstadion. And his reward was the honour of ensuring Leverkusen still have the opportunity to see out their entire season undefeated.
Alonso's men have already tied up their maiden Bundesliga title and are guaranteed at least one more shot at silverware when they meet Kaiserslautern in the DFB-Pokal final on May 25. They'll also face off against Daniele de Rossi's Roma in the Europa League semi-finals hoping to complete a historic treble.
That means Leverkusen could extend their pristine run to 54 games at more this campaign, though the current mark of 45 is already a German record. And the competition isn't even close, with Hansi Flick's Bayern team of 2020 the nearest after previously going 32 games without a loss in all competitions.
The achievement is all the more incredible considering this is Alonso's first full season as a senior manager, having joined his current club midway through the 2022/23 campaign. Leverkusen's last competitive defeat came in the form of a 3-0 disappointment at Bochum on the final day of last season (May 2023).
It's a testament to Alonso's squad that Leverkusen have already made history this season but refuse to show complacency in their work. And it was fitting that homegrown asset Wirtz - one of the club's most prominent stars this season - teed up the touch that preserved their record.
Leverkusen will be back at home on Saturday and host a tough Stuttgart side, who have staged their own surprise this season and are currently third in the Bundesliga. Alonso & Co. will then travel to Rome for the first of two Europa League semi-final legs against Roma.
Barely one month remains until a 2023/24 campaign that will go down in Leverkusen history is completed in its entirety. But thanks to Stanisic, the upstarts are still living in a world where an unbeaten term that would have been unthinkable last August remains within reach.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Messi now 4 Lords vs EPL Milos Kerkez the Driller but why? LOL Debate = over Thoughts? CRAZY Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Just toon it, trollfootball, The Football Arena, AZR Organization)...
Former Chelsea star Abraham set to join BesiktasPer Fabrizio Romano, Turkish giants Besiktas have reached verbal agreement with Serie A side AS Roma to sign Tammy Abraham on a permanent deal this summer. Besiktas have submitted an offer worth €20 million and the ex-Chelsea forward has reportedly accepted the offer to join the club.Staggering salary Bayern have offered Woltemade revealedNick ...
Liverpool are reportedly ready offer young winger Ben Doak to Crystal Palace as they step up their pursuit of centre-back Marc Guehi.The Premier League champions are looking to sign a new central defender following the imminent sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen.According to The Sun, Crystal Palace are interested in signing Doak, 19, following an impressive loan at Middlesbrough.As it happ...
Arsenal have reportedly reached a full agreement on personal terms with Valencia star Cristhian Mosquera. A new bid is said to be being prepared, with the Gunners believing they can conclude a deal with the La Liga side at just over £17million.Valencia are widely reported to have turned down a £12m offer from Arsenal earlier this month. Mikel Arteta, Andrea Berta and Co. remained undette...
Chelsea have agreed a deal worth a total of £60 million ($82m) for Brighton striker Joao Pedro, sources have told ESPN.The 23-year-old had attracted interest from Newcastle but preferred a move to Stamford Bridge and talks with Chelsea developed quickly this week.Sources have told ESPN that Pedro has agreed terms on a seven-year contract in a deal that includes a £55m initial fee with &#...
Sporting CP president Varandas: Gyokeres knows price he can leave forSporting CP president Frederico Varandas says he knows the price he wants to sell Viktor Gyokeres for. However, he insists he won't make the Swede's valuation public.Arsenal and Juventus are the latest clubs in talks with Gyokeres and his agents.Varandas said, "I'm not going to say what the price tag is, the player knows what the...
Frustrated Arsenal turn to Eintracht Frankfurt striker Ekitike Arsenal have jumped into the battle for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.The France U21 star is wanted by Europe's biggest clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool.Fussball Transfers says Arsenal have joined the race for Ekitike.The Gunners are turning to Ekitike after being frustrated in talks for Viktor Gyoke...
Tottenham prepare offer for Genoa defender De WinterTottenham are interested in Genoa defender Koni De Winter.Il Corriere dello Sport says Spurs are preparing a bid for the Holland international.De Winter could arrive as cover - or as a replacement - for senior centre-half Cristian Romero.The North London club has already reached an agreement with Kawasaki Frontal to sign defender Kota Takai. But ...
Jurgen Klopp reveals why he may never return to managementFormer Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp has opened up on his future and revealed why he may never return to management.The 58-year-old ended his nine-year spell at Liverpool after the 2023-24 season, becoming Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer months later.In his recent interview with German outlet Welt, he has suggested t...
Jarell Quansah edges closer to Bayer Leverkusen after medical bookedLiverpool defender Jarell Quansah is one step closer to making the switch to German giants Bayer Leverkusen with the club booking his medical.The two clubs have agreed a fee that could rise to 335 million for the 22-year-old although Liverpool are understood to have a 360 million buy-back clause in the deal.According to Fabrizio R...
- 1 Raphinha happy to see Barcelona miss out on FIFA Club World Cup
- 2 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 3 Liverpool willing to make swap proposal to Palace for Guehi
- 4 Chelsea transfer at 'final stages'
- 5 Club World Cup 2025: Benfica v Chelsea predictions, best bets and odds
- 6 Man Utd close in on Bryan Mbeumo! Red Devils agree £60m+ fee with Brentford as Premier League rivals iron out final transfer details
- 7 Mystery blonde who had night out with Kieran Trippier
- 8 Man United close in on Bryan Mbeumo
- 9 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 10 Sporting CP president Varandas: Gyokeres knows price he can leave for