Europa League: Xabi Alonso is already hoping for a double after failure in the Europa League: “Life goes on…”
The blow was hard for Bayer Leverkusen. Very difficult. The faces of football players marching through the mixed zone after falling from a height a resounding 3:0 score in the Europa League final against Atalanta They reflected deep and unexpected disappointment.
The Bundesliga winner arrived in Dublin optimistic and invincible after 51 matches without defeat. Their 12,500 red fans landed “on fire” in Ireland with the belief that 36 years later they would be Europa League champions. However, their confidence and strength were crushed after every Lookman goal and every time they fell into Gasperini’s trap.
Atalanta – Bayer Leverkusen 3:0: results and goals | UEFA Europa League (Final)
“It wasn’t our day. Atalanta were better than us. It’s a shame it happened in the finale, but there’s nothing we can do but accept it.. “It was the first defeat, something new for us, but life goes on,” Xabi Alonso said at a press conference.
This was the first defeat, something new for us, but life goes on.
51 games later, Leverkusen lost… but coach Gipuzkoana did not lose his composure. Neither did their fans, who applauded Dea’s feat and bid farewell to their players, including Alonso, the king of the Werkself, with a warm ovation. Elegant in defeat and consoled by Fernando Carro (CEO) before receiving his runners-up medal, the former player, still smarting from the setback but already looking to the future, sent a message of self-criticism and optimism.
“Tonight will not be easy for anyone. After the game we will analyze everything. There may have been some mistakes, including mine. We will learn a lot from this defeat and from the experience we have lived through. The next challenge is already before us. How are we going to overcome this pain? Let’s see if we can handle this. We have the opportunity to turn the page,” Xabi said, asking his team to stand.
The next challenge is already before us. How are we going to overcome this pain? Let’s see if we can handle this. We have the ability to turn the page
During two days, Leverkusen will travel to the Olympiastadion in Berlin to face second division Kaiserslautern in the German Cup final. A trophy they had not won since 1993 and which, if won, would have been a historic double for Bayer Leverkusen.
Historical season
The treble and 51-game unbeaten streak are now part of a season worth remembering at the BayArena. The best in its 119-year history, which cannot overshadow the disappointment of Europe. They had never lifted the Bundesliga Salad Bowl before… and they did it undefeated! And if they win the Cup, then in one campaign (two) they will achieve the same titles as in their entire hundred-year existence.
Disappointment is part of football, but we must go into the final against Kaiserslautern motivated. We want to win in Berlin
Wirtz, Grimaldo, Tach, Boniface… continue to be brilliant players who have had an outstanding season. Failure in Dublin will only deprive them of enrollment. Leverkusen wants the 2023/24 Cup to end with a beer bath. “Disappointment is part of football, but we need to be motivated for the final against Kaiserslautern. We want to win in Berlin,” Xhaka admitted. “We have another final and we really want to win it,” Frimpong said. The message is clear: a double is still possible. And to achieve this would be a great success for Bayer. Taking off from the Dublin low.