Jakarta (MidLand) – Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso said that the good performances achieved by his players during this season will be in vain if they lose to West Ham in the Europa League.
“The Europa League is only made up of two matches. This determines success or failure,” Alonso was quoted as saying by AFP in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Leverkusen will host West Ham at the BayArena Stadium in the first leg of the 2023/2024 Europa League, Thursday (11/4) local time or Friday (12/4) early morning WIB.
The Bundesliga leaders look to the Europa League with optimism because they are unbeaten in 41 games this season, with 36 wins and five draws.
Read also: A goal from Florian Wirtz strengthens Bayer Leverkusen at the top of the table
Although his team is on course to win their first Bundesliga title and qualify for the German Cup final, Alonso said his team’s good work would be in vain in Europe if they fail to beat West Ham.
He said he wanted to create a bigger miracle than the Reds’ victory in the Champions League final against Milan in Istanbul in 2005.
“Why do we have to choose just one? “We can experience more than one miracle,” she said.
In their last game back then, Liverpool, who were 0-3 down in the first half, came back to draw 3-3, with Alonso scoring the third goal, before winning on penalties.
Read also: Xabi Alonso: Maybe we can celebrate the title next week
“That was the big event that we all remember. And let’s see what happens with the second event.”
Alonso said that ahead of the Europa League, striker Victor Boniface was ready to play from the start, having come off the bench twice since returning from injury.
Meanwhile, Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong, who had previously grabbed acute with Celtic, he said. The Leverkusen players “really celebrated” when Alonso announced in March that he would remain at the club for another season.
“I’m very happy. Since he arrived here he has changed Leverkusen. Everyone likes working with a trainer. On the pitch we can all see that we are happy,” he said.
The former Manchester City academy player said that coaches and players have the same bond that makes a strong team.
Frimpong also admitted that he had not considered a move from Leverkusen. “I’m at Leverkusen now, so I’ll stay at Leverkusen,” he concluded.
Read also: Bayer Leverkusen wins all their Europa League group stage matches
Reporter: Aloysius Lewokeda
Publisher: Teguh Handoko
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