‘Dublin is over’, says Alonso as Leverkusen eye German Cup redemption

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso said his side would use their pain at the Europa League final loss to Atalanta this week as fuel ahead of Saturday’s German Cup final clash with Kaiserslautern.

The 3-0 loss to Atalanta in Dublin on Wednesday was Leverkusen’s first defeat since May 2023, ending a record run of 51 games unbeaten.

The manager said the team did not spend too much time dwelling on the result which ended the Bundesliga champions’ hopes of a remarkable treble. 

“We didn’t take long — our focus is on tomorrow. 

“It is over, Dublin is over,” the coach said ahead of the season finale. 

“It was a long way and finally we’re here. After Wednesday, we’re ready and focused.”

Despite Wednesday’s loss, Leverkusen are hot favourites against the second-division side, who narrowly escaped relegation to the third division. 

Kaiserslautern, a four-time Bundesliga winner now languishing in the second division, only played one top-flight side on the way to the final — FC Cologne, who have since been relegated. 

Alonso said: “Being favourites means nothing. We need to fight, be well prepared and after Wednesday I have the feeling that our hunger is a bit bigger, because the pain is fresh.