Back
15.05.2024Werkself-TV

Alonso ahead of EL final: Atalanta ‘currently one of the toughest opponents in Europe’

A week ahead of the big showdown in Dublin, the focus at Bayer 04 on Wednesday was the final in the UEFA Europa League against Atalanta (22 May, 21.00 CEST). While the Werkself players negotiated numerous photo and interview slots as part of the UEFA Media Open Day, head coach Xabi Alonso fielded questions from journalists at a press conference on the final against the top Italian club.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

“The feeling and mood within the team are good and all of us are really looking forward to the final,” said Xabi Alonso on Wednesday afternoon. “After winning the league, we can achieve great success in the Europa League and then the DFB Pokal as well.”

The opponents in the final, Atalanta, are fifth in the table in Serie A and on course for a Champions League finish also thanks to current impressive form with 13 points gained in the last five league games. Like the Werkself, the North Italian side are in the final of the Italian cup competition with Juventus providing the opposition tonight in the Coppa Italia. In the Europa League, they have knocked out Sporting CF, Liverpool and Olympique Marseille. “Atalanta are currently one of the toughest opponents in Europe,” said Alonso.

The 42-year-old Spaniard shared words of praise for his fellow coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The 66-year-old Italian has coached Atalanta since the summer of 2016. Alonso: “He has a clear plan and built up a team with strong mentality and high quality in depth. They are a top team. We’ll have a chance if we produce our best form. It will be a great final, very tight and interesting for the fans.”

Alonso: "saw early on what was possible"

While Alonso won nearly every competition in his time as a player, winning the Europa League remains to be achieved. He can now make that up as a head coach. Asked about that, the title-winning Leverkusen coach declared: “My trophies as a player are in the past. Now it’s time to win titles as a coach.”.

The fact this season has turned out to be such a great success was something Alonso did not foresee last summer. “We have a clear target of qualifying for the Champions League. On top of that, we wanted to play good and attractive football. Winning the Bundesliga and being in two finals was not necessarily realistic in August. But after two or three games we saw early on what was possible and that we could achieve something exceptional”

One factor in the success, named by Alonso, is day-to-day work plus open communication between the players and the coaching staff. “We learn from each other every day and I’ve learned a lot as a coach in the time up to now. We have done very well so far even though there have been a couple of mistakes of course. Now we will focus fully on the last Bundesliga game and prepare for the two finals.”

 

 

Related News

Piljic per Dropkick ins Glück: Bayer 04-Frauen schlagen Jena | 21. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 22.03.2026

Women: TV-highlights of 1-0 home win against FC Carl Zeiss Jena

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-0 win against FC Carl Zeiss Jena on the 21th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.

Show more
Terrier und Quansah
Bayer 04 - 22.03.2026

Bayer 04 pros Terrier and Quansah sidelined

Bayer 04 will have to make do without forward Martin Terrier in the next few weeks. The Frenchman sustained a muscle injury in his right hamstring in Saturday's 3-3 draw at Heidenheim in the Bundesliga.

Show more
Werkself bedankt sich bei den Fans
Bundesliga - 22.03.2026

Werkself review #FCHB04: ‘We’re ready to overcome this situation’

Three goals weren’t enough for the Werkself to beat FC Heidenheim on Saturday. The 3-3 stalemate was Bayer 04’s third Bundesliga draw in a row. After a commanding first half and a two-goal lead, “we didn’t get back into our game,” summarised Mark Flekken, who featured between the sticks for the first time in two months. Patrik Schick once again proved his nose for goal, bagging a brace. He is now the third-most prolific Bundesliga scorer in the club’s history. Despite the squandered points, head coach Kasper Hjulmand remains confident ahead of the final spurt of the season: “We’re ready to overcome this situation.” The Werkself review.

Show more
Bayer 04 held to 3-3 draw away at Heidenheim | 28th matchday
Werkself-TV - 21.03.2026

TV highlights of 3-3 draw at Heidenheim

Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 3-3 draw at FC Heidenheim on Matchday 27 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season...

Show more
Montrell Culbreath und Niklas Dorsch
Bundesliga - 21.03.2026

Bayer 04 held to 3-3 draw away at Heidenheim

Bayer 04 were held to a 3-3 draw away at Heidenheim despite twice taking the lead on Bundesliga Matchday 27. Malik Tillman and Patrik Schick had given the Werkself a 2-0 advantage in the first half, but Hennes Behrens and a Marvin Pieringer penalty brought the hosts level after the restart. Schick restored the lead not long after. However, Pieringer also struck again in the closing minutes to restrict Leverkusen to just a point away at the Bundesliga’s bottom side.

Show more