Congratulations on the German championship, Bayer Leverkusen! At least those who are strict with statistics can congratulate the Werkself for winning the championship in 2023/24. No leader of the German upper house has ever lost a seven-point lead on the 24th day. However, Leverkusen should not let the champagne cool yet and Bayern, pursuing, should not lose hope.
FC Bayern has plenty of experience to win a tight season finale. More forgetful readers will remember the last game day of last season. And younger users should take a look at the following extract from the 34th day in 2000/2001:
But what constitutes new territory, even for the record champions, is happening. Seven points behind in the last third of the season and still champion? Go!
For this, Munich residents do not need to travel far, just go to Stuttgart. On the 26th day of the 2006/2007 season, they were also seven points behind the leader. Eight victories later, the VfB captain lifted the bowl – upside down. Those who suffer? Once again FC Schalke 04…
But if we look at the major international championships, all this remains harmless. Here are three examples of warnings for Bayer 04. Spoiler: In the end, the favorite was still able to celebrate the championship title. The Girondins de Bordeaux are the first to play. The French had a very good first half of the season in 2009/2010 and were nine points clear at the top of the table.
The beginning of the end was the duel with Marseille’s closest rival. Even though the teams only shared the points, Bordeaux only managed five wins from the remaining 18 matches. Marseille won the championship, Bordeaux, reigning champions, finished in a disappointing sixth place. Certainly, this can no longer happen to Bayer.
Lazio and RCD Mallorca also suffered similar misfortunes, losing nine points each. In the Primera Division, reigning champion and cup winner FC Barcelona made a classic false start during the 1998/99 season. On the 14th day, the gap with the Mallorcans was nine points. But after the 1:3 defeat against newly promoted Villareal, the Catalans started a streak, lost only two league matches at the end of the season and defended their title. Take notes, FC Bayern.
The history of Lazio is a balm for the nerves of Leverkusen. At the turn of the millennium, the Romans fought a five-way battle for the championship with city rivals AS, Milan, Juventus and Parma. Even though the « Eagles » gave up a temporary nine-point advantage, they kept their composure on the final day of the match. Juventus surprisingly lost to midfield team Perugia. Lazio were there and secured the Scudetto after a 3-0 victory over Reggina.
However, the biggest lead was probably wasted in the English Premier League. Similar to the current situation, a wealthy patron joined Newcastle United before the 1995/96 tour. Les Ferdinand, David Ginola and Faustino Asprilla, among others, have joined the Magpies. At the end of January, coach Kevin Keegan’s star team had opened up a twelve-point gap with second-placed Manchester United.
Eric Cantona, suspended for a long time after his legendary kung-fu move, returns to the Red Devils and Newcastle suddenly feels dizzy. Five matches out of eight were lost from the 26th day onwards. The team from the Far North finally lost its balance, losing 1-0 in a direct duel with United in March 1996. A little later, the favorites from Manchester overtook them and the dream of the championship ended. is finished.
What do you think: will Leverkusen take the advantage to the finish line or will Bayern come back?
