Leverkusen claims Bundesliga title with a huge win
Bayer Leverkusen became Bundesliga champion in style after Florian Wirtz’s first senior hat-trick helped it to a dominant 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen.
Coach Xabi Alonso and his team's spectacular season was given the crowning glory it deserved after goals from Victor Boniface, Granit Xhaka and the dangerous Wirtz sealed another big win as fans poured on to the pitch at BayArena.
The victory means Leverkusen claims its first Bundesliga crown, ending Bayern Munich’s 11-season reign as holder.
Boniface gave the hosts the lead after 25 minutes from the spot.
The Nigeria forward scored his 11th league goal of the campaign with a composed finish into the bottom right-hand corner, sending Bremen keeper Michael Zetterer the wrong way.
Xhaka’s shooting ability from long range was on full show as he had Zetterer worried with his dangerous left foot but his effort on 28 minutes cleared the crossbar.
Amine Adli will be suspended for next week’s trip to Borussia Dortmund after a yellow card but Leverkusen continued to stifle Bremen with long spells of possession and Boniface was causing the back line issues when he was picked out in a pocket of space but he failed to get a shot off in time.
The league leaders sought a second and their efforts were rewarded on the hour through Xhaka, who blasted home from range.
The Swiss midfielder was found from deep and he curled the ball first-time into the bottom left-hand corner to put his side in the driving seat.
Eight minutes later, Wirtz got in on the act as Leverkusen added a third.
The midfielder played a intricate one-two with Robert Andrich before his driven shot from range powered past Zetterer, finding the top corner in spectacular fashion.
Bremen had little to show in an uninspiring second half. Romano Schmid threatened with a close-range volley but failed to keep his shot on target.
Wirtz got his second after he was played through by a first-time ball over the top from Exequiel Palacios before he drove at the keeper, opening his body up and drilling his effort into the left corner.
Wirtz completed his hat-trick in style when Alex Grimaldo ran down the left and picked him out on the right-hand side of the box. The Germany international held off a defender, keeping his composure before tidily finishing to round off a victory worthy of winning the title.
