Bayer Leverkusen vs Roma: Xabi Alonso uses last season's Europa League defeat as motivation to triumph in the final

Home / News / Bayer Leverkusen vs Roma: Xabi Alonso uses last season’s Europa League defeat as motivation to triumph in the final

Xabi Alonso says Bayer Leverkusen will use last season’s Europa League semi-final exit to Roma as motivation as they prepare to welcome the Serie A side to this year’s competition.

Leverkusen lost 1-0 on aggregate in last season’s semi-finals but were 2-0 down in last week’s first leg ahead of Thursday’s clash at the BayArena.

Alonso’s men have enjoyed a very good season that has seen them win the Bundesliga title, although they are yet to taste defeat in 48 games in all competitions this season.

But despite their success, their Spanish coach admitted that their failure in Europe last season is still fresh in his mind.

The 42-year-old said: “We haven’t forgotten last season, we’re sorry. We have to use that power and hope we can celebrate at the end. “

“We’re going to do it completely for the full 90 minutes. We need to deserve our win and reach the final in Dublin.

– Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) May 8, 2024

The Werkself are the clear favourites to triumph in the Dublin final, but Alonso is wary of complacency in front of Daniele De Rossi’s men.

“A second leg is a detrimental situation, regardless of the past result,” he added.

“We’re in a position to play well with intelligent motivation and our own game. We need to be aggressive and protect well as a team.

“We expect Roma to come with the hope of qualifying. “

If they advance, Leverkusen will face either Atalanta or Marseille, who are well placed after a 1-1 draw in the first leg, in the final.

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