Xabi Alonso remains proud despite Bayer Leverkusen’s defeat in the Europa League final against Atalanta, which ended their historic 51-game unbeaten run. The Bundesliga champions had their sights set on an unlikely treble, with the DFB-Pokal final still to come, but their hopes were dashed in a 3-0 loss to Atalanta.
Ademola Lookman was the standout performer for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, scoring a hat-trick to secure their first title in 61 years. This defeat marked Leverkusen’s first loss of the season, with their previous defeat coming against Bochum in the 2022-23 Bundesliga campaign.
Despite the disappointment, Xabi Alonso, the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich midfielder and current Leverkusen head coach, insists that the result does not diminish the team’s achievements. He expressed his pride in his players and what they have accomplished this season.
While the defeat hurts, Alonso emphasizes that they have already lifted the Bundesliga trophy and still have a chance to win the DFB-Pokal on Saturday. He remains optimistic and focused on the positives.
Leverkusen’s loss in the Europa League final makes them the first team to win the league title but lose the UEFA Cup/Europa League final in the same season since Benfica in 2013-14. They are also the first German side to do so since Borussia Dortmund in 2001-02.
Alonso reflects on the season and acknowledges that it has exceeded expectations. As a first-year coach, he is pleased with what they have achieved for a club like Leverkusen. Being in contention for two major trophies in the final week of the season is a significant accomplishment.
Atalanta’s victory in the final marks a monumental occasion for the club as they claim their first-ever major European trophy. They become the 10th different Italian side to achieve this feat, second only to teams from England.
Alonso is not surprised by Atalanta’s success, recognizing that they have been consistently performing at a high level for many years. He commends Gasperini and his team for their exceptional work. Although Leverkusen couldn’t come back from the deficit in the final, Alonso congratulates Atalanta and acknowledges that they deserve the victory.
In conclusion, despite the disappointment of the defeat, Xabi Alonso remains proud of his team’s achievements and looks forward to their upcoming DFB-Pokal final.
