Kasey Keller says he doesn't see where Xabi Alonso's journey ends after leading Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title.
No longer are Bayer Leverkusen cast as perennial runners-up. The Werkself's class of exorcised ghosts of painful failure Sunday evening, as they swept to their first Bundesliga title in the club's history with a dominant win over Werder Bremen. As Florian Wirtz rounded Werder Bremen's defense and slotted home for his hat-trick and Bayer Leverkusen's fifth, the pitch was already engulfed in the smoke from red flares blanketing the Nordkurve. The party had already long begun.
A small group of supporters' excitement had already overflowed after their fourth, running on to the pitch in the 83rd minute. Xabi Alonso and the players pleaded for them to return to the stands, the crowd booed their fellow fans, urging them to refrain until the final whistle blew. That's what happens when you've come so close in the past.
Despite their monstrous lead in the Bundesliga, talk of the Werkself becoming champions was still whispered rather than roared in these parts. That's what painful near-misses do for you. But there was nothing anyone could do after Wirtz's fifth.
The stewards didn't stand a chance. Supporters were there on the sideline and Wirtz's goal broke the dam -- as supporters rushed around in delightful, confused euphoria, the referee waited for the clock to tick to the 90th and called it.
