By Le Figaro with AFP
Published now, Updated now
Granit Xhaka.
Paul Childs / REUTERS
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka spoke at a press conference ahead of the Europa League final against Atalanta this Thursday evening in Dublin.
“We have something to lose, absolutely” said Tuesday Granit “We come to the final to win it. Our main goal was to win the Bundesliga, but the second was this Europa League and we will do everything possible to return to Germany with the cup. said the Swiss midfielder, who arrived in Leverkusen this season from Arsenal.
Very relaxed at his side during the pre-match press conference, Xabi Alonso, the coach of the Werkself (the “factory eleven”), also made a point of watching the two matches he remains to be played for his team, rather than the previous 51 during which they remained undefeated.
«Our task is to win these next two matches. insisted the Spanish technician, making it clear that the 51 matches without defeats would not do much if Leverkusen did not win the final of the Europa League on Wednesday, nor that of the German Cup on Saturday against Kaiserslautern.
Flo (Wirtz) will, as always, have an important role. He is a special and very important player and present in decisive moments.
Xabi Alonso
Regularly having fun with the many journalists present, , was going to start the game.
“Flo (Wirtz) will, as always, have an important role. He is a special and very important player and present in decisive moments. He can play from the start, but we’ll see tomorrow if he starts the match. It’s my decision who plays tomorrow.” explained the young coach, simply conceding that Matej Kovar, his Czech goalkeeper, would be on the field at kick-off.
