Now, all of Europe is waiting for Bayer Leverkusen to pull off the treble. Although this treble is only a Europa League version of the treble, not a regular Champions League version of the treble, it is already a great goal for Bayer Leverkusen, who have only won the league title for the first time in their history this season. Although Bayer Leverkusen is not the top in Europe in terms of strength, judging from their performance this season, they have put many giants who are stronger than them to shame. Especially Bayern, not only was the hegemony of the championship broken by Leverkusen, but the key is that Bayern was beaten too badly by Bayer Leverkusen in the two-legged battle of Tianwang Mountain in the Bundesliga. In the first leg at Allianz, Bayer Leverkusen walked away with a penalty kick before the end, and in the second leg, Bayer Leverkusen won 3-0 neatly. It was this big win that basically ended the suspense of this season's Bundesliga title.
What's even more terrifying is that the two-legged suppression of Bayern is actually the norm on all fronts of Bayer Leverkusen this season. Why are Bayer Leverkusen so conspicuous this season? In addition to winning the Bundesliga, the best thing is that they are still unbeaten. Note that it is not the Bundesliga that is unbeaten, but all official matches that are unbeaten. So far, Bayer Leverkusen have drawn seven of their matches on the third line and won the rest of their matches. Such a record, even Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Inter Milan can't compare, right?
With the exception of the German Cup, both the Bundesliga and the Europa League have to play two legs, and unless the Europa League reaches the final, it will be a decisive match. This means that so far this season, Bayer Leverkusen have the advantage of the two-legged record against most teams, either with a double or a win and a draw. The only one who didn't give Bayer Leverkusen an advantage over the two legs was Borussia Dortmund. In the Bundesliga, both sides played 1:1 over two legs. If this is a cup match, then there will be extra time or even penalties.
Of course, 1:1 in the two legs, although Leverkusen did not take advantage, they did not suffer a loss, and everyone was evenly divided. But on April 28, 2024, the team that really made Leverkusen suffer two legs in European football this season finally appeared.
Stuttgart.
In the 31st round of the Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen hosted Stuttgart, which was almost the same as the script for Dortmund in the previous round, and this time, it was also a perfect draw in stoppage time. Andrich's goal set the Bayer Arena on fire, and the media received a new round of praise for Alonso's metaphysics.
But combined with the first leg between the two teams, it can be said that Stuttgart is the first team to lose Leverkusen in two legs so far this season. Although both legs were drawn, the first leg was played at home to Stuttgart and the two teams played out 1-1.
So here's the problem, yes, now UEFA has abolished the away goals rule, but this rule has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people after all, in other words, the team that can score more goals on the road is generally considered to have a certain advantage. Therefore, assuming that the two legs between Leverkusen and Stuttgart are not the Bundesliga, but the knockout round of the Champions League or Europa League two years ago, then, 1:1 at home, 2:2 away, no extra time, penalty kicks, Stuttgart will directly eliminate Leverkusen.
In fact, Stuttgart is really Leverkusen's bitter master this season, not only did the two-legged Bundesliga not let Leverkusen win, but also in the quarterfinals of the German Cup, Stuttgart almost overturned Leverkusen away, a 2:3, so that the pharmaceutical company won a thrilling win.
There are not many games left in the season, there are still three rounds left in the Bundesliga, and the opponents are not strong, so there is a good chance that Bayer Leverkusen will not suffer from them. The German Cup final is a winner, considering the difference in strength, Leverkusen will not let Kaiserslautern take advantage. The focus is on the Europa League semi-finals, knowing that Roma eliminated Bayer Leverkusen at the same stage last season, winning one and drawing one. And this time, Bayer Leverkusen not only faces revenge, but also has to ensure that they do not suffer losses in two legs. Fortunately, there is no away goals rule now, but what Bayer Leverkusen need to do is perhaps beat their opponents as much as possible over two legs.
Do you think Roma will be the second team to lose Bayer Leverkusen in the second two legs of the season?