Bayer Leverkusen's Unbeaten Run Ends with Painful Europa League Final Loss

Bayer Leverkusen, under the management of Xabi Alonso, suffered their first defeat since May 27 the previous year. This loss was particularly significant as it halted the club's record-setting 51-game unbeaten streak in the Europa League final, against the Italian side Atalanta. Despite the impressive run, which included a title victory in the Bundesliga, Alonso admitted that the defeat in such a crucial match was painful to take.

The match, held at Dublin's Aviva Stadium, ended 3-0 in favor of Atalanta, marking their first trophy win in 61 years, delivered by Ademola Lookman's spectacular hat trick. This win dashed Leverkusen's hopes of finishing the season unbeaten and securing a treble of trophies.


Despite the defeat, Alonso was proud of his team's achievements over the last year, both in the Bundesliga and throughout their unbeaten run. The former Liverpool midfielder acknowledges that Atalanta deserved the trophy as they were the better team on the night and Leverkusen failed to find solutions in response to their energy, particularly after the first goal.

However, there's no time for prolonged disappointment as the focus rapidly switches to their forthcoming challenge. Leverkusen will face Kaiserslautern, a second-tier side, in the German Cup final this Saturday, where they aim to complete a domestic double and end an already remarkable season with another victory. Alonso expressed the significance of these accomplishments for a club like Leverkusen, and the team is looking forward to competing for the German Cup.