A week after Bayer Leverkusen lost their German Bundesliga title to Bayern Munich, the team faces difficult challenges as they meet Borussia Dortmund in the 33rd round. This match comes amidst strong rumors about the departure of several key players from the team next season, adding uncertainty to the club's future, which is expected to undergo significant changes. Although Leverkusen secured second place with two rounds remaining in the league, the speculations about the departure of the young Spanish coach Xabi Alonso and rising star Florian Wirtz have raised concerns within the club.

 

The upcoming match at Leverkusen's home ground is seen as a bittersweet farewell for Alonso, who led the team to unprecedented achievements last season. Although he is still under contract with the club until the end of the season, Alonso recently announced that he would leave at the end of the current season. The 43-year-old coach said, "These two matches will be my last as Bayer Leverkusen's coach." Spanish and German media have suggested that he will be appointed as the coach of Real Madrid if current coach Carlo Ancelotti departs, making his departure an inevitable matter.

Despite Leverkusen's strong performance in the 2023-2024 season, Alonso's departure comes at a crucial time, especially with the expected departure of Florian Wirtz as well. Wirtz, 22, one of the team's standout players in recent times, has sparked much speculation about his future after his stellar performance last season. The attacking midfielder, who is considered one of the best players in the Bundesliga, has been linked with a potential move to Bayern Munich, which would be a significant blow to Leverkusen's new generation.

Wirtz started his career at Leverkusen by breaking numerous records, including being the youngest player to feature for the team and the youngest player to score in the Bundesliga. While his recovery from a serious ACL injury in 2022 was highly anticipated, this season has seen him shine even brighter, helping his team secure the Bundesliga and cup double, earning him the title of Bundesliga Player of the Year last season.

In an interview with "Sports Illustrated," Wirtz confirmed his desire to leave his "comfort zone" at some point in his career, sparking speculation about a move to one of Europe's top clubs. His potential departure coincides with the lack of major titles this season, as Leverkusen lost the league title to Bayern Munich and now finds itself in a difficult situation for the 2024-2025 season.

Although the team has only lost two matches this season, numerous draws (11 in total) have hindered Leverkusen's chances of winning the league. If they win their last match, they will reach 74 points, which would be the second-best point total in their history, a tally that would have been enough to win the title in other seasons.

Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund enters the match desperately needing a win to continue their pursuit of Champions League qualification. After a tough start to the season, Dortmund has improved significantly, collecting 16 points from their last 18 available in the last six matches. The team now sits just one point behind the fourth place, which guarantees Champions League qualification.

Eyes are also on the Freiburg vs. Holstein Kiel match in the same round, as Freiburg seeks to stay in the top four, further enhancing the importance of upcoming matches in determining the Champions League spots for next season.