At the Europa League final, Bayer Leverkusen’s dreams of European glory were crushed by Atalanta in a resounding 3-0 defeat.
The loss not only marked the end of their remarkable 51-match unbeaten streak but also left the team reeling from the agony of coming so close to an undefeated season across all competitions.
Dubbed ‘Neverlusen’ in the past, Leverkusen had shattered Bayern Munich’s 11-year Bundesliga title monopoly, earning admiration and respect across Germany.
Yet, despite their remarkable domestic campaign, the Europa League final proved to be a bridge too far for Xabi Alonso’s side.
Speaking in a news conference following the defeat, Alonso expressed a mix of pride and pain.
“The normality is not to get defeated in the 52nd game. Normally it happens much earlier in the season,” he remarked. “It’s been quite exceptional what we have achieved, and we have to be really proud, probably in some time, but for sure today it’s painful.”
Indeed, the agony of defeat in a final is not easily forgotten, and Alonso emphasized the importance of learning from such experiences. Leverkusen’s journey from ‘Neverkusen’ to genuine contenders has been marked by resilience and determination, and Alonso knows that this setback will only serve to fuel their hunger for success.
Despite the disappointment in Europe, Leverkusen still has a shot at redemption on the domestic front. On Saturday, they will face second-tier Kaiserslautern in the German Cup final, with the opportunity to clinch a historic double.
For a club that had only won two major trophies in its 119-year history before this season, the prospect of adding a second-ever German Cup title is not to be underestimated.
“It will be a test of how we deal with it because we have another big thing on Saturday,” Alonso acknowledged. “It’s going to be a challenge for us to come back from today’s defeat and how we deal with the pain. Let’s try to have a big influence on our mindset for Saturday.”
The resilience and character of this Leverkusen side will be put to the ultimate test as they aim to bounce back from Wednesday’s disappointment and seize their chance at domestic glory.
While the pain of defeat may linger, Alonso and his players are determined to channel that energy into a spirited performance in the German Cup final.
As the final whistle blew in Dublin, bringing an end to Leverkusen’s European campaign, it also signaled the beginning of a new chapter in their quest for success.
The road may have been bumpy, but the journey for Bayer Leverkusen is far from over. With their eyes firmly set on silverware, they are ready to write the next chapter in their storied history.
This article was created using automation and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our staff editorial members
