Bayer Leverkusen could become German champions for the first time this weekend – but they don’t want to celebrate it at first. The reason is the upcoming quarter-final second leg of the Europa League next Thursday at West Ham United in London, said a club spokeswoman.
If Bayer 04 Leverkusen were to win against SV Werder Bremen on Sunday or if FC Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart were to lose on Saturday, the club would no longer be catchable in the remaining five games and would be declared champions early. It would be the first championship title in the club’s history and the first time in eleven years that the German soccer champions did not come from Munich.
There will also be no public viewing in the city for fans who cannot come to the stadium on Sunday against Werder (5:30 p.m.). Mayor Uwe Richrath (SPD) will watch the game in the BayArena. “Now it’s time to keep your fingers crossed. Maybe Bayer 04 Leverkusen and their Werkself will fulfill their big dream on Sunday. A celebration for the club, the city and, above all, the fans. So everyone in Leverkusen will definitely be excited on Sunday,” Richrath said.
The city is preparing for a higher volume of visitors around Sunday’s game. The usual street closures in the city center have been adjusted and apply four hours before the start of the game.
Bayer Leverkusen could become German champions for the first time this weekend – but they don’t want to celebrate it at first. The reason is the upcoming quarter-final second leg of the Europa League next Thursday at West Ham United in London, said a club spokeswoman.
If Bayer 04 Leverkusen were to win against SV Werder Bremen on Sunday or if FC Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart were to lose on Saturday, the club would no longer be catchable in the remaining five games and would be declared champions early. It would be the first championship title in the club’s history and the first time in eleven years that the German soccer champions did not come from Munich.
