Xabi Alonso: Bayer Leverkusen INVINCIBLES double-winning manager

Acrobat7

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And they'll not be called Neverkusen ever again!

I see what you mean with the 'well, we can try and give it a go... but no promises!' Angle.

Was just wondering if they were a goodwill team in general, like for example, Leicester was basically adored or admired for a period of around 2-3 years after their feat, and then things kind of petered out for them, but I'd say the death of the owner and the switch to his son changed the narrative for them quite a bit, as the dad was adored and said to be a great and nice man, which pushed adulation for the club on that bit more.

Next season should also be interesting for Leverkusen? They're going around the country with an aura then, which should have some sway on the intensity of their games.
I would say no to that. They're not quite as plastic as Wolfsburg, Leipzig or Hoffenheim, but most ‘real’ football fans wouldn't miss them if they weren't in the first division. They get goodwill this year because Bayern's streak is finally coming to an end. Plus they play nice football and, to be completely honest, it's impossible not to like Xabi.
 

stefan92

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I would say no to that. They're not quite as plastic as Wolfsburg, Leipzig or Hoffenheim, but most ‘real’ football fans wouldn't miss them if they weren't in the first division. They get goodwill this year because Bayern's streak is finally coming to an end. Plus they play nice football and, to be completely honest, it's impossible not to like Xabi.
Agree with this. Most people just don't really care about them (why should they?), but if they have likeable people around then that's fine.
 

Acrobat7

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Agree with this. Most people just don't really care about them (why should they?), but if they have likeable people around then that's fine.
Maybe even second place in the "big teams that no one cares about?" ranking behind Hertha?
 

giorno

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Pft. Here in Italy we have an entire region that doesn't actually exist. Once again, Italy beats Germany :drool:


Also called them losing to Kaiserslautern months ago. Has to be. They're Leverkusen, their place in history has to involve some ridiculous defeat and heartbreak. Kaiserslautern is getting relegated too, just to rub it in
 

Zehner

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Is the nation willing you on, or is a mission everywhere you go for that team to be the one that spoils the party? Have you become other supporters' second favourite team?
We receive lots of good will from most rival fans, even many Cologne fans I know are rooting for us :) At least that's true as long as they aren't playing against us, obviously every team would love to be the one who ends it


Honestly I think the atmosphere around their matches is nothing special. After all Leverkusen is and will be a suburb club that's lucky it's affiliated with a huge corporation. And yes, while of course everyone wants to beat them, after the match it's mostly "well, nobody else could beat them, so no shame in not doing it today".

Actually I think the completely dominant league win lead to the general mood being more disinterested then most would have expected. Everyone thought that some day there finally has to be a team that grabs the title from Bayern's claws in an epic battle. Instead Leverkusen has been mostly cruising through the season and it has been more boring than most of Bayern's recent title winning years :lol:

Still everybody is happy that Bayern's streak ends.
I don't think this lazy cliche will ever die. The atmosphere was excellent this season and his constantly been praised by the media, pundits, players, functionaries and even many rival fans.

But I guess now that the Vizekusen stick to beat us with is gone, people need something different to hate about ;)
 

Sylar

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Gonna finish on 90 points in a 34 game season. Insane.
The league games were never in doubt.

The match on Wednesday is gonna be so intriguing. Especially as Atalanta need to win tonight to stay in touching distance of 3rd / 4th
 

SilentWitness

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Same points as Arsenal invincibles, more goals and less conceded in less games.
 

Skills

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It might be a poor decision to stay another season I think. I don't know how he'll be able to keep this group motivated for next season after the almighty high this season has been.
 

stefan92

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Ah yes I thought they had already won that. Insane season.
They'll play the cup final against a team that almost got relegated from second to third tier. It's probably impossible to be a bigger favourite. Yet this probably is THE match when it finally could happen :lol:
 

ken11

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First ever Bundesliga Invincibles. Happy to be witnessing history.
 

Chairman Steve

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I‘m glad that they went the season unbeaten in the league as I could see gooners making it all about themselves if they did get beat in the past few weeks.
 

Bastian

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It might be a poor decision to stay another season I think. I don't know how he'll be able to keep this group motivated for next season after the almighty high this season has been.
I think it says a lot about his character. If he guides them to another league title it'll be incredible. Next season will obviously be a bigger challenge, but I think even if they finish third he won't have lost his standing, he'll have clubs to choose from.
 

stefan92

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It might be a poor decision to stay another season I think. I don't know how he'll be able to keep this group motivated for next season after the almighty high this season has been.
Simple: Aim for the CL
 

CallyRed

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They'll play the cup final against a team that almost got relegated from second to third tier. It's probably impossible to be a bigger favourite. Yet this probably is THE match when it finally could happen :lol:
Oh god can you imagine if they lose that.
Whilst it would still be an absolutely incredible season, it would be bloody funny
 

stefan92

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Oh god can you imagine if they lose that.
Whilst it would still be an absolutely incredible season, it would be bloody funny
I can... and actually I'd be happy about it, because I really like Friedhelm Funkel (Kaiserslautern's manager) and would be very happy for him if he finally wins something after decades of solid work.
 

giorno

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Pft. The best invincibles are Perugia. They did it first, plus they didn't win the league. That's much harder to do than 90 points or whatever
 

Munkehboi

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Considering they only won two of their first 12 games last season and at one point looking like relegation contenders, this is an inspirational and pretty miraculous turnaround. Be a good cup final from a narrative point of view from both teams, whoever wins it. Probably less so if Leverkusen lose the Europa though.
 

Zen

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An undefeated league is pretty goddamn pointless, which was proven heavily by how little Messi and Barcelona cared about it a few years.... an undefeated season however, is pretty goddamn immense. Kudos to this team, incredible run.
 

jadajos

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An undefeated league is pretty goddamn pointless, which was proven heavily by how little Messi and Barcelona cared about it a few years.... an undefeated season however, is pretty goddamn immense. Kudos to this team, incredible run.
Not done yet, they still have two finals to play. They are big favorites, of course.
 

Ludens the Red

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An undefeated league is pretty goddamn pointless, which was proven heavily by how little Messi and Barcelona cared about it a few years.... an undefeated season however, is pretty goddamn immense. Kudos to this team, incredible run.
Arsenal fans everywhere are feeling a severe burning sensation in their ears….
 

giorno

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49 is still a very good number
That was only in the league though. They were losing games during that run

Leverkusen are actually unbeaten in I believe it's 52 now. Staggering