Bayer Leverkusen hadn't suffered a defeat in any competition since May 27th of the previous year.
Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso praised his team’s “exceptional” record-breaking unbeaten run, but expressed his disappointment that it ended in the Europa League final. Leverkusen had been one of the standout stories of the season, going 51 games without defeat and winning the Bundesliga. However, their bid for European glory was thwarted on Wednesday night as they lost 3-0 to Italian side Atalanta at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
This was Leverkusen’s first defeat since 27 May last year. While Alonso was proud of his team’s achievements over the past year, he admitted that the Europa League final loss was tough to accept. “Atalanta were better than us and they deserve the trophy,” said the former Liverpool midfielder. “It wasn’t our day. We’ve had a bad night. It hurts that it happened in such an important match.”
Alonso added, “The normality is not to suffer a first defeat in the 52nd game. It’s exceptional what we achieved and we should be proud. But it’s painful.”
Leverkusen’s treble hopes ended, but their focus now shifts to another trophy. Despite maintaining their unbeaten run with last-minute heroics, Leverkusen were outplayed by an Atalanta side that controlled the match. Ademola Lookman’s hat-trick secured Atalanta’s first trophy in 61 years, ending Leverkusen’s hopes of an unbeaten season and a treble.
“We weren’t able to play as we wished,” Alonso admitted. “After the first goal, they showed a great deal of energy, and we couldn’t find solutions to counteract that. We couldn’t impose ourselves or create goal scoring opportunities.”
Leverkusen now need to regroup and focus on winning another trophy. On Saturday, they face second-tier Kaiserslautern in the German Cup final, aiming to complete a domestic double. “Achieving what we have is great for a club like Bayer Leverkusen,” Alonso told TNT Sports. “Being in the last week of the season, having won the Bundesliga, and playing in the Europa League final means a lot. Now, we’re aiming for the German Cup too.”
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