by Oliver Trust

BERLIN, March 18 (Xinhua) -- While hastily preparing for its trip home, Bayer Leverkusen soaked in an energizing feeling that had seemed lost.

Players and officials carried their packed dinners in plastic containers as they made their way to Stuttgart Airport, still buzzing from a last-minute 4-3 extra-time victory. The win appeared to reopen the door for a challenge against league rival Bayern Munich in the 2024-25 season.

With Bayern's lead shrinking to six points and eight matches remaining, hopes of rekindling the title race surged.

Leverkusen's players and officials spoke of a turning point. "Anything can happen," Spanish head coach Xabi Alonso said, praising the return of "this unique feeling."

Sporting director Simon Rolfes outlined the road ahead following a disappointing 2-0 loss to Bayern in the UEFA Champions League round of 16, which had sent Bayer into a temporary slump.

In an interview with Xinhua, Rolfes said the team morale had returned, and with 56 points in the Bundesliga standings, Leverkusen was re-entering the title race.

"We were missing that decisive edge in our performance-now it's back. This is the moment; we have to fire on all cylinders," he said.

Forced to adjust after losing playmaker Florian Wirtz to injury, Leverkusen's switch to a two-striker system in the second half against Stuttgart paid off.

"The fight isn't over. We're not giving up," defender Jonathan Tah said. Midfielder Robert Andrich added, "We want to push them to the very last moment."

While Leverkusen still has a shot at the 2025 German Cup, the victory also reignited hopes of defending last season's Bundesliga title.

Despite the recent Champions League setback, Rolfes expressed confidence in Alonso's leadership. "We have a coach with great intuition. Thanks to his vast experience, he knows exactly what's going on in the players' heads," he said.

German media described the win in Stuttgart as awakening a "sleeping lion." Rolfes, meanwhile, remained optimistic that Alonso and the highly sought-after Wirtz would stay another year in Leverkusen.

A return to the title race could provide the final push. "We feel it might not be over yet," Rolfes said. Enditem

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