What’s getting hotter on Thursday? The Europa League semifinals AS Roma vs Leverkusen on the pitch? Or the duel of the trainer volcanoes Jose Mourinho (60) and Xabi Alonso (41) on the line?
Correct is: Both of them know each other personally from real times together. Under Mourinho, midfield strategist Alonso (between 2010 and 2013) played 151 games with Madrid.
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The Leverkusen coach: “I’ve learned from every coach – I’ve learned from him to be a leader and to convince a team to fight together for a goal.”
And: Both can tick off during the game.
► Alonso, otherwise more of a gentleman type, has already received five yellow cards this season. Three of them in the league, the next time there is a threat of suspension.
Leverkusen manager Simon Rolfes warns: “There will be a heated atmosphere in the stadium. That’s why it’s all the more important that we’re focused and calm, do our thing and act with discipline.”
► Mourinho is the eternal provocateur!
Whips the fans with his arms, doesn’t avoid quarreling with the referees.
Most recently, he scolded an Italian referee: “The worst referee I’ve ever met. Believe me, I’ve had a lot of bad…”
Mourinho wore a hidden microphone on his body during the game to protect himself from false claims made by his referee “friend” – Mourinho himself claimed.
Departure to the “Eternal City”: Alonso’s wife Nagore Aranburu (2nd from left) at Cologne/Bonn Airport
Rudi Völler, ex-player and coach at AS Roma, to BILD: “The spectators here love his provocative style. Mourinho managed to fill the Olympic Stadium again.”
Teacher Mourinho against model student Alonso
Student and teacher: Alonso (left) played under coach Mourinho at Real between 2010 and 2013
Mourinho yesterday on Alonso: “I’m happy to see him. We’ve always had a fantastic relationship from coach to player. Xabi had Benitez, Ancelotti, Guardiola and me as coaches. Maybe he learned something from me and the others. His Leverkusen are the best counter-attacking team I’ve seen in Europe this year. Xabi has five or six players who would run for the 100 meter victory at the Olympics…”
The star trainers are still relaxed. But today from 9 p.m. on the line:
EXPLOSION HAZARD!