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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Richard Jolly

Xabi Alonso braces Leverkusen for Bundesliga defence as Vincent Kompany’s Bayern empire strikes back

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After years of superiority came the ultimate proof of domination, the Invincible season, the German team who completed the campaign without losing to German opposition. Except that, after 11 consecutive Bundesliga titles, Bayern Munich relinquished their crown. The unbeaten, unstoppable side were Bayer Leverkusen. “Neverkusen” – or “Vizekusen” in German – were rebranded “Winnerkusen”: they added the Supercup and the German Cup to their maiden Bundesliga title, aided by an improbable, seemingly unstoppable, torrent of injury-time winners.

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