Bayer Leverkusen will be returning to Champions League football next season as they secured their pre-season aim of a top three finish in the Bundesliga. Sascha Lewandowski and Sami Hyypia were tasked with ensuring that Bayer secured qualification to the Champions League this season after finishing fifth last time around. Things did not start well for the duo as Bayer struggled early on, managing just three wins from their first eight games. However a shock win over Bayern Munchen turned things around for Bayer who went on to win eight of their next 10 games to emerge as the closest challengers for Bayern who had opened a considerable gap at the top. Winter break came at the wrong time for Bayer who struggled to replicate their form, losing out to Borussia Dortmund while dropping points against Borussia Monchengladbach, Greuther Furth and Mainz. Leverkusen gave Bayern a tough fight in the return leg but ultimately lost out against the league leaders as Hyypia's side continued to drop points on a regular basis. Crucial victories over Hoffenheim and Werder Bremen saw Bayer see off the challenge from Schalke and secure a third placed finish and the Lions ended the season on a high, winning their final five games to finish within a point of second placed Dortmund. It was a complete team effort from Bayer with Andre Schurrle, Daniel Carvajal, Lars Bender and new signing Philipp Wollscheid putting in a number of key performances but it was Stefan Kiessling who was vital for Bayer's rise up the table with the German striker ending the season as top scorer in the Bundesliga with 25 goals, one ahead of Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski. With Sascha Lewandowski leaving his post to take over the youth team, the onus will now be on Hyypia to ensure that the club makes the right moves in the transfer market and builds on what has been a good season for Bayer.
