Behind Leverkusen's record of 49 unbeaten matches
Behind Leverkusen's unbeaten record, there is the story of the last piece in the team and Xabi Alonso's "plot twist".
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AS Roma player Leandro Paredes scored a penalty goal in the second leg of the Europa League semifinal match against Bayer Leverkusen at the BayArena Stadium in Leverkusen, Germany, early on Friday (10/5/2024) morning WIB.
LEVERKUSEN, FRIDAY — Defeat really isn't in Bayer Leverkusen's dictionary. The team coached by Xabi Alonso broke the unbeaten record in European club history after creating another "magic night" versus AS Roma. These results also took them to the final of the Europa League.
The host Leverkusen was initially trailing 0-2 due to a pair of penalty goals by Roma midfielder Leandro Paredes in the second leg of the semifinals at BayArena Stadium, early Friday morning (10/5/2024) Indonesian Western Time. The score remained unchanged until about eight minutes before the end of regular time. The aggregate at that time was still tied at 2-2.
I think this result shows how great this team is, the fact that we were able to come back after going behind.
Suddenly, Leverkusen was ahead on aggregate again through opposing defender Gianluca Mancini's absurd own goal from a set piece. They just need to keep the score to qualify. With one foot in the final, they completed the result with a goal from substitute Josip Stanisic at the end of injury time.
Also read: From ”Neverkusen” to ”Meisterkusen”, Bayer Leverkusen Champions the German League
Leverkusen held Roma to a 2-2 draw and led 4-2 on aggregate. With that result, Florian Wirtz and his teammates have gone 49 games without defeat in all competitions this season, breaking the record held by Portuguese team Benfica, which had stood for 59 years.
AS Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar saves his goal in the second semifinal match of the Europa League between Bayer Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena Stadium in Leverkusen, Germany, early Friday (10/5/2024) local time.
"I think this result shows how great this team is, the fact that we were able to come back after being behind. We aren't too concerned about losing by one goal as long as we still qualify. We really want to make it to the final. But, obviously, a way like this (not losing) is more enjoyable," said Stanisic who came in at the 90th minute.
The heroic story of Leverkusen seems to have a hint of luck. However, in reality, they deserve that result. In fact, they should have won big with their domination over Roma for almost the entire game. Alonso's team was just unlucky because Roma's goalkeeper, Mile Svilar, played spectacularly.
Also read: Xabi Alonso's Commitment and Bayer Leverkusen Trophy Guarantee
Leverkusen took 32 shots, almost three times more than the visitors (11). A total of 12 shots were saved by Svilar. The quality of their chances is worth 3.33 xG (expected goals). Meanwhile, Roma took a two-goal lead thanks to a penalty that seemed to fall from the sky.
The mentality of the Leverkusen squad is back in the spotlight. They have always been synonymous with last minute goals throughout this season. According to Statman Dave, Leverkusen has scored 17 goals in the 90th minute or later. No other team in Europe's five best leagues has surpassed that record.
The celebration of Bayer Leverkusen players after AS Roma player Gianluca Mancini scored an own goal in the second semi-final match of the Europa League between Bayer Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena Stadium in Leverkusen, Germany, early morning on Friday (10/5/2024) West Indonesia Time.
Goals at the end of the match have also always been scored in Leverkusen's last five matches which ended in a draw. In three of those matches, versus Roma, VFB Stuttgart and Dortmund, they were able to avoid defeat after injury time lasted more than five minutes.
The trend of resurgence is what makes Paredes unable to calm down with just a two-goal lead. "The match was in our hands, then suddenly a suicide goal happened. We were forced to play openly, which should not be done against them. Sorry, we wanted to give a gift to the supporters by reaching the finals, but instead came home empty-handed," he said.
Xhaka's perfect performance
The best performer in the second semifinal match was midfielder Granit Xhaka. He played a central role on both sides of the field, when defending and attacking. He was always there, even being at the forefront when his teammates were involved in a feud with the opposing team. Xhaka was like a leader without the captain's armband.
Also read: One more match for the "Neverkusen" curse to end
The 31 year old player shone in Rome's half of the field. According to Opta, Xhaka created 10 opportunities from open play for his teammates. This number is the highest in a Europa League match since February 2010.
Bayer Leverkusen player Granit Xhaka and AS Roma player Bryan Cristante compete for the ball in the second semifinal match of the Europa League between Bayer Leverkusen and AS Roma at the Bay Arena Stadium in Leverkusen, Germany, on Friday (10/5/2024) early morning Indonesian time.
One of the feeds resulted in an assist for Stanisic's equalizing goal. Xhaka showed that the right player can transform a team, not necessarily an expensive one. He was brought in by Leverkusen from Arsenal last summer for only 15 million euros. Who would have thought that the Swiss national team player would eventually become the missing piece in Alonso's playing system.
Xhaka is the player with the most minutes (3,877) at Leverkusen this season. He played in 46 of a total of 49 matches. The midfielder has always been the backbone of the team in three competitions, the German League, German Cup and Europa League. Meanwhile, Leverkusen has great potential to win treble winners at the end of the season.
Also read: Bayern beat Dortmund, Thomas Tuchel: Congratulations Leverkusen
On the other hand, the presence of Xhaka also becomes an irony for Roma. The player almost joined the Italian capital team in the summer of 2021. At that time, Roma coach Jose Mourinho tried to recruit him. Xhaka also wanted to move, but chose to stay at Arsenal after discussions with manager Mikel Arteta.
Bayer Leverkusen player Josip Stanisic celebrated after scoring a goal during the second semi-final of the Europa League match between Bayer Leverkusen and AS Roma at the BayArena Stadium in Leverkusen, Germany, on Friday (10/5/2024) early morning Western Indonesian Time.
Xhaka said the struggle was not over. Leverkusen is waiting for another Italian team, Atalanta, in the top match which will take place at the Dublin Arena Stadium, Ireland, on May 23. ”Certainly we will come to the final to win. Atalanta is a very good team tactically, but we are ready to give everything," he said.
Alonso's "plot twist".
The upcoming final match also marks the change in Leverkusen's story. As is known, Alonso was rumored to be returning to Liverpool, his former team, to become the successor of Manager Juergen Klopp. At that time, Liverpool and Leverkusen still had the potential to face each other in the final match.
The ideal final scheme has begun to be discussed by many people. The match could become a ceremonial stage for the relay of the baton from Klopp to Alonso. Meanwhile, Alonso could also present a sweet farewell to Leverkusen despite leaving next season.
Also read: Xabi Alonso, Bayer Leverkusen's "X" Factor to End Bayern Munich's Domination
Alonso's nostalgia and hopes with Liverpool were dashed halfway. The 42-year-old coach decided to stay at Leverkusen next season. Then, Liverpool also lost to Atalanta in the quarterfinals. Atalanta, who was not favored when challenging Liverpool, actually made it to the final match.
The celebration of Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso after the second semifinal match of the Europa League between Bayer Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena Stadium, Leverkusen, Germany, on Friday (10/5/2024) early in the morning WIB.
However, Alonso created a more ideal scheme for himself and the team. After ensuring survival, he led Leverkusen to win the German League for the first time and broke the unbeaten record. His current mission is to win three titles at once, without a single defeat.
"We are very happy to make it to the final. We will play in two finals at once (at the end of the season). I can see from the players' perspective that they want something more. We still have the potential to win three championship titles. The team deserves to win all of those titles," said Alonso. (AP/REUTERS)
