Bayer Leverkusen's narrow 1-0 win away to Union Berlin was not just a win, it was a milestone. With this victory, Bayer Leverkusen not only equalled Bayern's unbeaten record under Pep Guardiola, but if they win again in the next round, they will be crowned Bundesliga champions five rounds earlier, which would be an extremely rare feat in the history of the Bundesliga.
In this crucial game, Bayer Leverkusen showed why they can stand at the top of the Bundesliga. During the game, every player was full of energy as if he were carrying a spring. In particular, the penalty hero Wirtz, who was not only the winner of the game, but also a symbol of Bayer Leverkusen's spirit.
The turning point came in first-half stoppage time, when Gosens was sent off for an aggressive foul, leaving Union Berlin undernumbered. At this moment, a seemingly chaotic scuffle in the penalty area became an opportunity for Bayer Leverkusen to win. Although the original shot was ruled offside, VAR found a handball foul that had been overlooked. Wirtz's subsequent penalty, like a precise missile, hit the corner of the goal and gave Bayer Leverkusen the lead.
In the second half, although the score did not extend further, Bayer Leverkusen controlled the tempo of the game, showing that they are not only an impactful team, but also have the temperament and calmness to become champions. For Union Berlin, despite their lack of numbers, they still stubbornly resisted, which also made the game full of suspense and excitement.
With this victory, Bayer Leverkusen's lead reached an eye-popping 16 points. They will face Bremen in the next round, and everyone knows that as long as Bayer Leverkusen win again, then Bayern will have the trophy firmly in their hands, regardless of the outcome. This is not only an affirmation of Bayer Leverkusen's performance this season, but also a testament to their perseverance and never-say-die spirit.
When it comes to Bayer Leverkusen's unbeaten record, it's really impressive. Throughout the season, they have been an impregnable castle, showing unrivalled strength and resilience both in the Bundesliga and in the German Cup. They are now unbeaten in 41 games, a rare feat in the Bundesliga and even in European football. Not only have they equalled Pep Guardiola's unbeaten record with Bayern Munich, but they are also expected to break that record in the coming weeks and leave a legacy of their own.
Of course, victory never comes easily. Behind every game, it is the crystallization of the sweat and hard work of the players. From Hradecki's solid goal, to Wirtz's blitzrieg up front, to the hard work of every player on the pitch, Bayer Leverkusen proved that they are a true team. In the upcoming matches, they will not only have to face the challenge of their opponents, but with their quality and team spirit, Bayer Leverkusen have reason to believe that they can continue to write their own glory.
All in all, Bayer Leverkusen have shown admirable quality and tenacity this season, and they are not just equalling history, they are on track to make it. And for those of us football fans, it's a pleasure to be able to witness moments like this. It will be interesting to see if Bayer Leverkusen can continue their unbeaten run and take home the trophy in the next fixtures.