As a player he has collected endless titles. With Spain’s national team, with Liverpool FC, Real Madrid and FC Bayern Munich. On Saturday, Xabi Alonso will collect his first trophy as a coach. And although he is no stranger to the “salad bowl”, it will be a special moment for Leverkusen’s guarantee of success.
Will raise the championship trophy into the air on Saturday: Xabi Alonso. IMAGO/Matthias Koch
Even if his decisions are characterized by foresight, Xabi Alonso tirelessly preaches to focus on the next game. The success of this approach and his outstanding work is reflected in Bayer 04’s results this season.
The factory club has been known as German champions for some time now. And more titles await in the Europa League and the DFB Cup. Also because Bayer has not lost any of its 50 competitive games this season.
50 games without defeat – a record for a team from Europe’s top 5 leagues, which Bayer continues to expand. 50 games without defeat, which the fans celebrated with golden balloons in the shape of a 50 in the 5-0 win in Bochum.
And it’s in keeping with Xabi Alonso’s approach of always looking ahead to the next game that he didn’t immediately recognize the importance of this Golden 50. “I saw it and first asked myself: Why?” says the 42-year-old with a smile.
“This has never happened before”
Three more games without defeat are to follow. “We still have three games in the Bundesliga, Europa League and the cup. Next Saturday we can achieve a very nice goal. It would be great if we could win the championship trophy without defeat,” the coach states the first goal, “that is never happened before.” Not even record champions Bayern Munich have ever achieved this.
After two days off, Xabi Alonso will prepare his professionals for the final spurt. “Then we have eleven days to go full throttle, to fight, to try everything,” he says. There should be three titles at the end.
The world and European champion attaches particular importance to the one title he has already secured, his first as a coach. Although he already won the cup as a professional with FC Bayern Munich. “I experienced it as a player, but getting it as a coach in Leverkusen will be very special,” explains the Spaniard, who can look back on winning 17 trophies as a professional, and combines this with a great compliment to his team.
“I’m very proud of the players. They were very focused all season to experience this moment. This is very special. Of course it’s good for me too,” says Xabi Alonso, “but I’m proud of the team, to the young players who had this chance for the first time and hopefully they have a long career so that it isn’t the last time.” As their coach, that is certain, he will do everything he can next season to ensure that this wish comes true quickly.
2024-05-14 12:54:56
#Saturday #special #Xabi #Alonso
