Bayer Leverkusen’s Unbeaten Run Ends in Europa League Final Heartbreak
Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso praised his team’s remarkable unbeaten streak but admitted it was painful to see it end in the Europa League final. The German side had captured headlines all season with their exceptional 51-game unbeaten run and a triumphant Bundesliga campaign.
Their quest for European glory was halted on Wednesday night by Atalanta, who delivered a commanding 3-0 victory at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. This marked Leverkusen’s first defeat since May 27 of the previous year. Despite their impressive record, Alonso acknowledged that the loss in such a critical match was tough to swallow.
“Atalanta were better than us and they deserve the trophy,” the former Liverpool midfielder remarked. “It wasn’t our day. We’ve had a bad night. It hurts that it happened in such an important match.”
Alonso reflected on the extraordinary nature of their unbeaten run, noting, “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.”
Lookman Shines in Final
Ademola Lookman was the star of the night, scoring a hat-trick that secured Atalanta’s first European trophy in 61 years and dashed Leverkusen’s hopes of an unbeaten season and a treble. The Italian side controlled the game from the outset, leaving Leverkusen without their usual last-minute heroics.
“We weren’t able to play as we wished,” added Alonso. “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 fashion goalscoring opportunities.”
Focus Shifts to Domestic Success
Despite the disappointment, Leverkusen must quickly refocus as they face second-tier side Kaiserslautern in the German Cup final on Saturday. A victory would secure a domestic double, adding another significant achievement to their memorable season.
“To achieve what we have for a club like Leverkusen is great,” Alonso told TNT Sports. “To be in the last week of the season having lifted the Bundesliga and playing the Europa League final, we couldn’t make it, but then going for the Pokal [German Cup] too means a lot.”
As Leverkusen prepare for their next challenge, the team and their supporters can take pride in an extraordinary campaign that saw them break records and capture the Bundesliga title. Now, they aim to end the season on a high note with another piece of silverware.
