Monday, December 23, 2024

What is the longest unbeaten run in football? Bayer Leverkusen break new record

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Bayer Leverkusen are on a remarkable journey and are now an incredible 50 games unbeaten in all competitions this season.

The German side came from 2-0 down against Roma in the closing stages of their Europa League semi-final clash recently to draw 2-2 and keep their streak going.

It has been some season for Bayer LeverkusenCredit: GETTY

They extended it again and notched up their half-century by hammering VfL Bochum 5-0 in the Bundesliga last weekend.

Leverkusen now host Augsburg in their final league game of the season today, hoping to complete an incredible campaign in the German top-flight by bringing up 90 points.

They have already wrapped up the title and are in the DFB Pokal and Europa League finals, so it’s possible Xabi Alonso‘s men could end the year as unbeaten treble winners.

It would make for a history-book season, and though there have been longer unbeaten streaks across the league only, Leverkusen are doing it across multiple competitions.

So, here are the longest unbeaten runs across all formats in European football.

5. AC Milan, 1991/92 – 42 games

AC Milan are one of Europe’s biggest clubs, and they used to dominate Serie A, but no side compares to the team from the 1991/92 season.

The Rossoneri boasted an incredible side that included Franco Baresi, a young Paolo Maldini, Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten, and they took the league and then Europe by storm.

AC Milan were invincible

4. Juventus, 2011/12 – 43 games unbeaten

Led by Antonio Conte, Juventus became champions of Italy with an incredible campaign, leading to just one defeat at the very end against Napoli in the Coppa Italia final.

They beat Milan to the league by four points and had an excellent squad, including Andrea Pirlo, Leonardo Bonucci, Arturo Vidal and Gianluigi Buffon.

Pirlo moved to Juventus near the end of his career and became even better

3. Rangers, 1992/93 – 44 games unbeaten

Rangers, with talkSPORT’s very own Ally McCoist leading the line, were a formidable force in the 1990s, even impressing in Europe.

In fact, they were unbeaten in their Champions League group, but still went out because they drew too many games.

In the league, they were unstoppable and cruised to the domestic treble.

McCoist was in the peak of his careerCredit: getty

Xabi Alonso gets drenched in beer by the Bayer Leverkusen players as the German side celebrate their first ever Bundesliga title

2. Benfica, 1963/64 – 48 games

Back in the 20th century, Benfica boasted one of football’s greatest players, Eusebio, and he inspired this brilliant Benfica side.

The Portuguese superstar scored 28 goals across this unbeaten run, which stood for a long time until Alonso’s Leverkusen came along.

Eusebio was a star of his day

1. Bayer Leverkusen, 2023/24 – 50 games unbeaten [and counting]

As far as unbeaten runs across all competitions go, no side has managed to match what Leverkusen have achieved this season.

The Bundesliga side have stunned everyone with their sublime football and resilience, which has seen them score plenty late goals to maintain the run.

Alonso has formed a fantastic squad, with Alex Grimaldo, Jeremie Frimpong, and Florian Wirtz as the real standout players. However, everyone contributes, and long may this run continue.

Granit Xhaka’s return to Germany has worked out perfectlyCredit: Getty

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