Xabi Alonso is not going to permit Bayer Leverkusen’s Europa League ultimate defeat in opposition to Atalanta to vary his pleasure, later their historical 51-game unbeaten run ended on Wednesday.
The Bundesliga champions have been eyeing an not going treble, with the DFB-Pokal ultimate to come back this weekend, however the ones plans got here crashing ailing in a 3-0 loss to Atalanta.
Ademola Lookman single-handedly powered Gian Piero Gasperini’s facet to their first name in 61 years, generating a person efficiency for the ages with a decisive hat-trick.
Ecu agony marked Leverkusen’s first loss this season, with their latter defeat coming to Bochum at the latter year of the 2022-23 Bundesliga marketing campaign, as Alonso’s facet have been in the end restrained.
But the previous Liverpool and Bayern Munich midfielder says not anything can remove from Leverkusen’s memorable marketing campaign.
“For me the result today does not change one bit how I feel about my players or what we have been doing,” the Leverkusen head schoolteacher instructed TNT Sports activities.
“It hurts because we wanted to lift the trophy but you can’t have everything. We lifted the Bundesliga and we have the chance to lift the DFB-Pokal on Saturday.”
As of late simply wasn’t the year. We’re extremely pleased with our Europa League exit and all of our enthusiasts for taking it with us in combination. #ATAB04 | #Bayer04 #UELfinal #ForOurDream #aCROSSeurope percent.twitter.com/j1hbGIwd2e
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) Might 22, 2024
Leverkusen are the primary crew to win the league name however lose the UEFA Cup/Europa League ultimate in the similar time period since Benfica in 2013-14, and the primary German facet to do since Borussia Dortmund in 2001-02.
“This season and achievements have surpassed all expectations,” Alonso persisted.
“I used to be hoping and on the brink of possibly do one thing admirable however this has been so a lot more.
“To reach what we’ve for a membership like Leverkusen is admirable. To be within the latter era of the season having lifted the Bundesliga and upcoming going for the Pokal too way a bundle.
“First year as a coach, it is going quite well!”
REPORT: Lookman’s hat-trick brings #UEL pleasure to Bergamo #UELfinal
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) Might 22, 2024
A huge age on the Aviva Stadium marked Atalanta’s first-ever main Ecu trophy as they become the tenth other Italian facet to take action, 2d best to groups from England (13).
Alonso used to be unsurprised via the distinction of Gasperini and his Atalanta facet, then again.
“It is not something they have just done this year, they have been doing it for many years,” the Spaniard mentioned, acknowledging the paintings of 66-year-old Gasperini.
“They’re a unique crew. In most cases we get in higher positions ourselves however as of late lets no longer.
“We weren’t in a position to come back again and get that again. It used to be no longer intended to be.
“The unbeaten run has come to an end but congratulations to Atalanta, they deserve it, so nothing more to say.”
