Bundesliga Runners-up 2000-2001
From 'Neverkusen' to historic unbeaten double winners.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen, officially known as Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH, is a German professional football club based in Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia. It competes in the Bundesliga and plays its home matches at the BayArena.
Quick Facts
- Manager
- Christoph Daum (until October 2000); Rudi Völler (interim, from October 2000)
- Points scored
- 56
- Key players
- Michael Ballack, Zé Roberto
- Decisive match
- Leverkusen 0-1 Unterhaching (Final Day at home)
- Historic context
- A notable runner-up finish, but distinct from the more famous 'cursed' treble near-miss of 2001-2002
Lore & Background
Founded in 1904 by employees of the paint factory, now known as pharmaceutical company Bayer, the club was formerly a department of TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen. In 1999, the football department separated. The club's main colours are red and black. Their main rival is 1. FC Köln, and fans have a deep friendship with supporters of Kickers Offenbach. Leverkusen were promoted to the Bundesliga in 1979 and won the UEFA Cup in 1988, their first top-flight honor. Their first domestic honor, the DFB-Pokal, came in 1993. In 2002, the club finished runners-up in three competitions, including the UEFA Champions League. In 2024, they won their first Bundesliga title and second DFB-Pokal, becoming the first German team to win the league or domestic double unbeaten, while setting a European record for consecutive unbeaten competitive games (51).
Reader's Guide
The club earned a series of four second-place finishes from 1997 to 2002. In 2000, Leverkusen needed only a draw against SpVgg Unterhaching to win the title, but an own goal by Michael Ballack helped send the team to a 2–0 defeat, while Bayern Munich won the title. In 2002, the club surrendered a five-point lead atop the league table by losing two of its last three matches, while Borussia Dortmund swept ahead with three consecutive victories. The 2002 season has been dubbed the 'Treble Horror', as Leverkusen were also beaten 4–2 in the DFB-Pokal final by Schalke 04 and lost the UEFA Champions League final 2–1 to Real Madrid. This led to some English-language media dubbing them 'Neverkusen'. Leverkusen was the first team to reach the Champions League final without ever having won a national championship.
Did You Know?
- The club was founded on 1 July 1904 as Turn- und Spielverein Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
- In 1988, Leverkusen won the UEFA Cup after trailing 0–3 to Espanyol in the first leg and winning on penalties.
- The club's traditional colours of red and black were taken by the footballers when they split from the gymnasts in 1928.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which club finished ahead of Bayer Leverkusen in the 2000-2001 Bundesliga table?
Schalke 04 secured the title by a single point margin, denying the Werkself their first league championship. Leverkusen accumulated 69 points overall but ultimately settled for second place in this dramatic finale.
Who was the head coach during this near-miss campaign?
Otto Rehhagel managed the team, having previously achieved success with the Greek national side. His leadership guided Leverkusen to the summit of German football for most of the year before the late collapse.
Which players were instrumental in Leverkusen's 2001 league challenge?
Michael Ballack and Xabi Alonso led the midfield charge, while Zé Roberto provided crucial support on the flanks. These stars powered the squad through a dominant season that nearly resulted in a trophy lift.
What occurred during the decisive final day match?
The title race hinged on a direct encounter against Schalke 04, where Leverkusen failed to secure the necessary result. This loss allowed their rivals to overtake them by one point, ending their hopes in heartbreaking fashion.
Why is this specific season considered part of the club's cursed legacy?
This campaign initiated a painful era where the team frequently fell short at the last hurdle despite strong performances. Fans now view this season as the origin of their reputation for coming agonizingly close without securing major silverware.
More in Honours, Records & The 'Almost' Legacy
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