Leverkusen's Unbeaten Run Ends: Focus Shifts to German Cup

Bayer Leverkusen and their coach Xabi Alonso encountered their first defeat in nearly a year, halting their unbeaten streak at 52 games during the Europa League final. The team succumbed to a resounding 3-0 loss against Atalanta, with Ademola Lookman's remarkable hat-trick sealing their fate.

Reflecting on the loss, Alonso expressed the disappointment of experiencing defeat in such a significant match, emphasizing the difficulty of forgetting such defeats in finals. Now, with their focus shifting to the German Cup final against second-tier Kaiserslautern, Alonso acknowledged the challenge ahead.

Granit Xhaka, Leverkusen's influential midfielder, echoed Alonso's sentiments, emphasizing the team's lack of concern for the unbeaten record and expressing respect for Atalanta's performance.

Despite the defeat, there was a display of mutual respect between players and coaches from both teams, recognizing the achievements of clubs from smaller cities in European soccer.

Alonso acknowledged Atalanta's formidable performance, highlighting the challenges Leverkusen faced against their oppressive marking and physicality.

Looking ahead, Alonso remains committed to Leverkusen, rejecting offers from other prestigious clubs to continue with his current team.

With less than three days to prepare for the German Cup final, Leverkusen faces a new challenge, with Alonso viewing it as a test of the team's resilience.

The defeat marks a significant moment for Leverkusen and Alonso, prompting them to regroup and refocus as they prepare for their next opportunity at silverware.