Europe League
Leverkusen’s coach Alonso wants to remain undefeated for longer
Leverkusen’s head coach Xabi Alonso (2nd from left) celebrates with his players. photo
© Kin Cheung/AP
Xabi Alonso doesn’t give too much importance to records. However, the Spaniard hopes that Bayer can top their new record of 44 games without defeat.
“If we can make it a little longer, that would be great,” said Alonso after the 1-1 draw in the Europa League at West Ham United, which was enough for Bayer Leverkusen to reach the semi-finals after their first leg win. “If someone beats us in ten years, we will congratulate them,” joked the coach. “But at the moment we’re just happy that we’re consistently achieving good results.”
Bayer has not lost a game this season and is the only team in Europe’s top five leagues to be undefeated in 44 games. No other first division team in Germany, England, Spain, Italy and France has achieved this this millennium. However, Alonso did not want to attach too much importance to the record. “Records aren’t something I want to think about too much,” he said. “But when you achieve it, you try to appreciate it because you know it’s the result of us doing good things and we don’t want to stop.”
Also a bit of luck
Bayer initially struggled at West Ham United. Against the aggressive Hammers, the Werkself fell behind after just under a quarter of an hour through Michail Antonio and were lucky not to concede any further goals. After a few changes, Leverkusen improved in the second half and finally equalized through substitute Jeremy Frimpong (89th minute).
“Fortunately we can now say that it was a good lesson in Europe,” concluded Alonso. “We know that something like this can happen. And now we are happy to be in the semi-finals.” As in the previous year, Bayer will face AS Roma there on May 2nd and 9th.