The last time Leverkusen tasted defeat was way back in May 2023.
Their opponents on that occasion were none other than Bochum, who ran out 3-0 winners at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion on the final day of the 2022-23 Bundesliga season.
However, the chances of a repeat of that result looked remote from the moment Bochum defender Felix Passlack was sent off in the 15th minute,
Passlack clipped Nathan Tella as he threatened to break through on goal and was shown a straight red card.
With a numerical advantage Leverkusen patiently waited for their opportunity as Bochum put the shutters down.
It duly arrived in the 41st minute when Schick stylishly clipped a first-time shot from 10 yards into the net from Arthur's superb cross.
Die Werkself were then awarded a penalty in first-half added time when the lively Tella was brought down by Keven Schlotterbeck.
Boniface calmly sent Bochum goalkeeper Manuel Riemann the wrong way from the spot.
There was no let up from Alonso's side after the break and Adli powerfully headed in fellow substitute Jonas Hofmann's corner in the 76th minute.
Stanisic then fired past the unsighted Riemann from the corner of the box before Grimaldo rounded off a ruthless counterattack in added time to tap into an empty net.
The 'Never-kusen' monker was ditched when they won the Bundesliga title with five games to spare.
'Never-losing' is a more appropriate one now as they stand on the brink of football immortality with three games of their season to go.
