Bayer Leverkusen are edging closer to clinch both the league and cup titles after a commanding 4-0 victory over Fortuna Duesseldorf in the German Cup semifinals.
Led by the prolific Florian Wirtz, Leverkusen, under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, showcased their supremacy in a 40-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, maintaining a staggering 13-point lead in the Bundesliga.
The upcoming cup final, slated for May 25 at Berlin’s Olympiastadion, pits Leverkusen against second-tier Kaiserslautern, who dashed the surprising journey of third-division Saarbruecken with a convincing 2-0 triumph.
Leverkusen seized control early in the encounter, with Jeremie Frimpong breaking the deadlock in the seventh minute, followed by a swift counterattack culminating in goals by Amine Adli and Wirtz.
Wirtz, in scintillating form, added another from the penalty spot, further underscoring Leverkusen’s dominance. The return of striker Victor Boniface, after a lengthy absence due to injury sustained during Nigeria’s training for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, provided an additional boost for the club.
Amid swirling rumours, Xabi Alonso’s commitment to Leverkusen was reaffirmed, fuelling the team’s momentum. Leverkusen’s recent victories, coupled with Bayern Munich’s concession of the Bundesliga title race under Thomas Tuchel, underscore the club’s formidable stature.
Fortuna Duesseldorf, grappling with aspirations of promotion from the second division, faced an uphill battle, exacerbated by the absence of key midfielder Ao Tanaka due to appendicitis surgery.
As Leverkusen’s pursuit of glory reaches a crescendo, the stage is set for a historic double triumph, epitomizing the club’s relentless pursuit of excellence on the German football landscape.