Vicecuses goodbye? These statistics make FC Bayern tremble. If Bundesliga history is anything to go by, Bayer 04 Leverkusen can no longer take the championship away.
For many, FC Bayern’s defeat in rainy Bochum on Sunday evening was a preliminary decision in the championship race. At least felt.
Due to the 2:3 against eleventh in the table, the Munich team are now eight points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen. It would be the first time since 2012 that Bayern did not become champions.
Bayer Leverkusen fully on course for the title
But even a look at the Bundesliga history doesn’t bode well for Bayern fans. The fact is: anyone who leads the second-placed team in the table with eight or more points after the 22nd matchday has always become German champion.
Meanwhile, FC Bayern’s crisis is getting worse and worse. The defeat in Bochum was the third competitive defeat in a row – and that in an English week. The result: The criticism of coach Thomas Tuchel is becoming louder and louder.
There is also the apparently strained relationship between coach and Joshua Kimmich, whom he took off the pitch in the 63rd minute. Afterwards, Kimmich sat on the Bayern bench completely distraught. After the final whistle there was a big bang. Kimmich got into a fight with Tuchel co-worker Zsolt Löw, there was an open argument and Löw had to be held back.
Meanwhile, Bayer 04 are marching further and further towards their first championship title – after all the years of mockery and ridicule for “Vizekusen”, the insult for the Werkself’s narrow second places.
Coach Xabi Alonso formed a true football monster, leading Bayer 04 from a relegation zone to the top of German football in 2022. Leverkusen has 58 points after the 2-1 win against 1. FC Heidenheim. It was the whopping 32nd competitive win in a row. The triple is still there too. According to statistics, the championship is almost certain.