Bayer Leverkusen manager XabI Alonso believes that his side is deserving of treble, after their nail-biting victory over Roma in the UEFA Europa League semi-final on May 10. The 2023-2024 season has been truly historic for the German side, which has already seen them bag this season’s Bundesliga title and secure their place in the Europa League as well as the DFB Pokal final. Above all of this, Leverkusen’s triumph over Roma by 4-2 on aggregate, saw Xabi’s side set a new European record for the longest undefeated run across all competitions. Xabi opines that even after the semi-final clash, he felt the urge in his players to achieve even further.
Holding a 2-0 advantage over Daniele De Rossi’s Roma in the first leg, the German champions conceded two goals from the penalty spot by Leandro Parades. However, following a pattern that Leverkusen has boasted across the season so far, a late own-goal from Roma’s Gianluca Mancini and a stoppage-time goal from Josep Stanicic saw them keep their unbeaten streak intact. The win means that Leverkusen will be playing back-to-back finals in the Europa League final against Atalanta on May 23, and the Pokal final against FC Kaiserslautern on May 25.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Xabi reflected on his side’s performance and how they have shown eagerness to win more and more games across the season so far.
“We’re happy to be in the final. We’ll play two finals in a week as a result. We showed great character today after their second goal. I looked my players in the eye afterwards and saw that they wanted more. We still have the chance to win three titles. And my boys deserve all three titles,” Xabi said.
Stanisic, who came on as a substitute only 7 minutes before scoring the potentially fate-sealing goal in the clash, reflected on his team’s brilliant run throughout the season.
“We knew what was at stake, we really wanted to get to the final and I think you could see that over 90 minutes today,” Stanisic said.
Stanisic went on to reflect on whether a loss would’ve spoilt Leverkusen’s motivation for the upcoming big games.
“I don’t think we would have cared in the end if we lost and still progressed because we really wanted to get to the final, but it’s even nicer this way.” Stanisic added.
Leverkusen has now taken over the 59-year standing unbeaten record of SL Benfica by one more win, which has only added more recognition to what has been a sensational season for the once-known underdogs.
