'Champion' Leverkusen ends 35-game undefeated streak Loses in reverse despite scoring 2 goals first
'Champion' Leverkusen ends 35-game undefeated streak Loses in reverse despite scoring 2 goals first
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German professional soccer Bundesliga 'defending champion' Bayer Leverkusen ended its 35-game undefeated streak with a disappointing comeback loss.
Leverkusen lost 2-3 to Leipzig in the 2nd round home game of the 2024-2025 Bundesliga season held at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany on the 1st (Korean time), despite scoring two goals first.
This is Leverkusen's first regular league defeat in 462 days since losing 0-3 to Bochum in the last match of the 2022-2023 season.
Leverkusen surprised football fans around the world last season by winning the Bundesliga with an incredible record of 28 wins, 6 draws, and a 34-game undefeated streak.
It was the first time in 12 years since Juventus (23 wins, 15 draws) won the Italian Serie A in the 2011-2012 season that an undefeated team won the championship in one of Europe's top five leagues.
Leverkusen won 3-2 against Mönchengladbach in their season opener but their defeat on Wednesday ended their two-season unbeaten run in the league.
Leverkusen, who scored two goals first and even had the good fortune of having the opposing coach sent off, missed out on the win.
In the 25th minute of the first half, Leipzig striker Reus Offenda was 한국을 brought down by a rough tackle from Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah.
Leipzig manager Marco Rose protested vehemently after the referee passed the ball without warning.
After repeated protests, the referee showed two yellow cards and manager Rose was forced to leave the bench after collecting two yellow cards.
Leverkusen appeared to have seized the victory with consecutive goals from Jeremy Frimpong in the 38th minute of the first half and Alejandro Grimaldo in the 45th minute.
However, Leipzig pulled one back in the 52nd minute of the first half with a header from Kevin Kampl following a cross from Benjamin Henriks, and then turned the game around in the second half with a one-man show from Offenda.
Offenda tied the score at 2-2 in the second half by finishing a pass from a teammate with an exquisite shot from the right corner of the goal area in the 2nd minute.
In the 35th minute of the second half, he completed the comeback victory with a bold mid-range shot from directly in front of the penalty arc.
"We are used to not losing, but we will accept today's defeat," said Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso. "In the Bundesliga, all the opponents are strong, so we will not take winning for granted."
Coach Rose, who was sent off for not being able to control his excitement, was able to sit in the stands right behind the Leipzig bench because a Leverkusen fan sitting there gave up his seat.
"I'm sorry to my teammates. The referee just did his job. I think it was my mistake," said coach Rose, admitting his mistake. "I'm grateful to Leverkusen for their hospitality and kindness in giving me the opportunity to watch the game."