Football

Xabi Alonso's bittersweet return to Anfield ended in a resounding 4-0 defeat for his Bayer Leverkusen side as Liverpool maintained their perfect record in the Champions League. Luis Diaz stole the show with a hat-trick, while Cody Gakpo also found the net for the Reds.Alonso, who won the Champions League with Liverpool as a player, was warmly received by the home crowd despite his decision to remain at Leverkusen. However, his team was outclassed by a rampant Liverpool side that dominated the second half.Arne Slot's tactical masterstroke of moving Diaz into a central role proved decisive. The Colombian opened the scoring with a delightful chip over Lukas Hradecky and added two more goals in the second half. Gakpo's header from Mohamed Salah's cross put the game beyond doubt, and Diaz completed his hat-trick in stoppage time.Despite the heavy defeat, Alonso remained optimistic about Leverkusen's chances of progressing to the knockout stages. "We are in a good position to fight to go through to the next round," he said. "Today it will be tougher to sleep, but we have time to see the positives as well."Liverpool, meanwhile, are almost assured of a place in the last 16 and are closing in on direct progression to the knockout stages. Slot praised his team's performance, saying, "Second half we could adjust the gameplan, we took more risks and we were better with the ball as well."

Liverpool, the reigning UEFA Champions League champions, will host Bayer Leverkusen at Anfield on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, in a crucial Group B match. The Reds, currently second in the group with 9 points, will be aiming to secure the top spot, while Leverkusen, with 7 points, will be looking to strengthen their position in the top two.Liverpool, under the guidance of manager Jürgen Klopp, have been in impressive form in the Champions League this season, winning their last three matches. They will be confident of extending their winning streak against a Leverkusen side that has also shown glimpses of quality.Xabi Alonso, the former Liverpool midfielder, will make a special return to Anfield as the manager of Leverkusen. Alonso, who played a pivotal role in Liverpool's 2005 Champions League triumph, will be hoping to guide his team to a memorable victory against his former club.Leverkusen, currently third in the Bundesliga, have been inconsistent this season but have shown their potential in the Champions League. They will be looking to exploit any weaknesses in the Liverpool defense and capitalize on their attacking prowess.The match promises to be an exciting encounter between two teams with a rich history in European competition. Liverpool will be looking to maintain their dominance in the Champions League, while Leverkusen will be determined to prove that they can compete with the best in Europe.

Bayer Leverkusen's title defense has hit a roadblock after they dropped more points in a 2-2 draw at Werder Bremen on Saturday. Despite taking the lead twice, Leverkusen was unable to hold on to their advantage, conceding an equalizer in the 90th minute.Last season, Leverkusen's remarkable unbeaten run to the Bundesliga title saw them drop only 12 points. However, under new coach Xabi Alonso, they have already lost nine points in just eight games. Despite the setbacks, Alonso remains optimistic about his team's chances."Now in October, it's too early," Alonso said. "We want to be more consistent and when we get to that level, we will pick up more points. Anything can happen in the table... there's too many matches to come."While Leverkusen's attacking prowess remains evident, their defense has been a cause for concern. They have conceded 15 goals in eight games, compared to just 24 in 34 games last season. Alonso acknowledged the need for improvement."We want the feeling that we can control the game, that we don't give away chances to the opponent," Alonso said. "We didn't do that well today. We gave Bremen the chances and made it too easy -- it's not good and I'm of course not satisfied."Midfielder Granit Xhaka echoed Alonso's sentiments, expressing frustration at Leverkusen's inability to close out the match."If you don't kill the game, you concede -- it's very simple in football," Xhaka said. "It should not be possible that we go in front twice and still don't win the game. It's not enough like this -- we need to see the reality at the moment."Despite the setbacks, Leverkusen remains within striking distance of league leaders RB Leipzig, sitting five points behind. With plenty of matches remaining, Alonso and his team will be determined to turn things around and mount a serious title challenge.

Bayer Leverkusen's star midfielder Florian Wirtz is set to make his home debut in the Champions League on Tuesday against seven-time champions AC Milan. The 21-year-old German international is widely regarded as one of the most promising young players in Europe and will be crucial to Leverkusen's hopes of success in the competition.Wirtz missed Leverkusen's last Champions League campaign due to an ACL injury, but he has returned to the team in impressive form this season. He has scored four goals in five Bundesliga games and is the team's designated penalty taker.Wirtz is known for his creativity and goal threat, but he is also a hard worker and a team player. Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has praised Wirtz's ability to unlock defenses and create chances for his teammates."Flo is a special player," Alonso said. "He has the vision, the technique, and the intelligence to be one of the best midfielders in the world. We need to give him the freedom to express himself and create."Wirtz will be a key target for Milan on Tuesday, but he will be confident of making an impact. He scored a first-half double in Leverkusen's 4-0 win over Feyenoord in their Champions League opener and will be looking to add to his tally against the Italian giants.If Wirtz can continue to perform at a high level, he will be a major asset to Leverkusen in the Champions League and beyond. He is a player with the potential to become one of the best in the world, and Leverkusen will be hoping that he can help them achieve success in Europe.

Bayer Leverkusen's remarkable Bundesliga and cup double last season has not swayed coach Xabi Alonso's belief that Bayern Munich remain the title favorites this season."For me, the favorites are Bayern, that's clear," Alonso declared at a press conference ahead of Leverkusen's Bundesliga season opener at Borussia Moenchengladbach on Friday. "Our goal is to stay in the top four. That's realistic -- we have a good squad."Leverkusen's historic triumph last season, which ended Bayern's 11-year reign in Germany, was a testament to their resilience and tactical acumen. However, Alonso is keen to emphasize that past achievements are no guarantee of future success."Last year was really nice... but we're starting from scratch again," he said. "We need to earn everything again. We need to win our points and for that we need good performances."Bayern, under new coach Vincent Kompany, have bolstered their squad with several high-profile signings, including Michael Olise, Joao Palhinha, and Hiroki Ito. Leverkusen, on the other hand, have maintained a relatively stable roster, with the exception of the departure of Moussa Diaby to Manchester United.Despite their impressive unbeaten run in Germany since May 2023, Alonso is wary of the challenges that lie ahead. "We know every game will be difficult -- and that will be the case against Gladbach," he said.Leverkusen's title-winning campaign was built on a solid defense and a potent attack led by Patrik Schick and Florian Wirtz. However, they will face a stern test against a Gladbach side that has strengthened its squad with the addition of Marcus Thuram from Borussia Monchengladbach.Alonso will be without Argentina midfielder Exequiel Palacios for the trip to Gladbach due to a knee injury. However, the rest of his squad is available for selection as Leverkusen aim to start the new season with a positive result.

Bayer Leverkusen's talismanic midfielder, Granit Xhaka, has set his sights on another Bundesliga title challenge in the upcoming season, following the club's historic undefeated triumph last year.Xhaka, who joined Leverkusen from Arsenal at the start of last season, played a pivotal role in the club's remarkable campaign. Despite being a rookie coach, Xabi Alonso led Leverkusen to an unprecedented Bundesliga title, becoming the first German team to achieve the feat without a single defeat. They also lifted the German Cup, losing only one of their 53 matches in all competitions.Speaking to AFP at the club's pre-season training camp, Xhaka expressed his belief that last season was just the beginning. "We know people are hoping to beat us, they will try and they will do everything," he said. "But we still have the hunger to be where we were last season."Xhaka's resurgence at Leverkusen has been remarkable, especially considering the criticism he faced during his time at Arsenal. He believes that the criticism has been instrumental in his growth as a player. "I'm a fan of criticism, because criticism makes you stronger," he said. "I don't drop my head, but I look at what they are criticizing, and maybe I need to do something more, or change some things."Xhaka's leadership qualities have also been evident at Leverkusen, where he has quickly become Alonso's on-field voice. He is eager to guide the club's younger players, many of whom are yet to experience the Champions League. "Maybe they're nervous. You can go to them, talk to them and explain it to them, but this feeling, you need to feel it," he said. "You need to see the music, the atmosphere (and) what it is in these games."With his contract at Leverkusen set to expire in four years, Xhaka is already looking ahead to the future. He has started his FA coaching badges and is also an assistant coach at fifth-tier Union Nettetal. "The traineeship helped me a lot, because a coach maybe thinks more far ahead than a player (does)," he said.Xhaka's unwavering belief in himself and his team is a testament to his determination to succeed. As Leverkusen embark on a new season, they will undoubtedly look to Xhaka for inspiration and guidance as they aim to defend their Bundesliga title and make a mark in the Champions League.

Ten-man Bayer Leverkusen emerged victorious in the season-opening German Super Cup, defeating Stuttgart 4-3 on penalties after a thrilling 90 minutes that ended 3-3. The match marked the first time Leverkusen had lifted the trophy.Victor Boniface opened the scoring for Leverkusen in the 11th minute, but Stuttgart's Enzo Millot equalized just four minutes later. Leverkusen's hopes were dealt a blow shortly before halftime when Martin Terrier was sent off for a dangerous tackle, leaving them with 10 men.Stuttgart took advantage of their numerical superiority in the second half, with Deniz Undav giving them the lead. However, Patrik Schick's goal with two minutes remaining sent the match to penalties.In the shootout, Bayern Munich loanee Frans Kraetzig and Silas Mvumpa missed from the spot for Stuttgart, while Leverkusen converted all of their penalties.Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso praised his team's "huge spirit" and determination, particularly in the final 10-15 minutes when they were down a man. He expressed satisfaction with the team's start to the season and their renewed spirit.Stuttgart manager Sebastian Hoeness acknowledged that the match was a positive sign for his team, who had undergone significant upheaval during the summer. He noted that the performance demonstrated that they were "going in the right direction."The German Super Cup, which traditionally pits the Bundesliga champions against the Cup winners or league runners-up, was played without either Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund for the first time since 1993.

Bayer Leverkusen capped off a remarkable season by securing the German Cup, defeating second-division Kaiserslautern 1-0 in a hard-fought final in Berlin. The victory marks the club's second trophy of the campaign, having already clinched the Bundesliga title in April.Granit Xhaka's stunning long-range strike in the 16th minute proved to be the decisive moment. However, Leverkusen's triumph was overshadowed by the dismissal of Odilon Kossounou late in the first half, leaving them to battle with 10 men for the remainder of the match.Despite their numerical disadvantage, Leverkusen displayed resilience and determination, holding on to their slender lead. Kaiserslautern, who were aiming to become the first non-top-flight club to lift the Cup since 1992, pushed hard for an equalizer but lacked the cutting edge to break down Leverkusen's resolute defense.Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso praised his team's spirit and fighting qualities. "To win like that at the end, we showed our team spirit. We fought hard, we did it for everyone, the fans, the club," he said.Alonso also received plaudits from his opposing coach, Friedhelm Funkel, who was managing his final game before retiring. "To go through the Bundesliga season unbeaten, it's madness. That he could flick that switch in his first year, is incredible. I think he'll win many, many titles."Leverkusen's triumph is a testament to their impressive season, which saw them go unbeaten in the Bundesliga and reach the final of the Europa League. The German Cup victory doubles the club's trophy tally in their history, having previously won the competition in 1993 and the UEFA Cup in 1988.

Bayer Leverkusen, fresh off their first loss in nearly a year, face second-division Kaiserslautern in Saturday's German Cup final. The Bundesliga champions were thoroughly outclassed in a 3-0 loss to Atalanta in the Europa League final on Wednesday, their first defeat in any competition since May 2023.Leverkusen's unbeaten run, which broke a 59-year-old record set by Benfica in 1965, was bound to end sometime. However, it was the manner in which they capitulated that will concern manager Xabi Alonso the most. The Germans were outmuscled by a determined Atalanta, with key players Florian Wirtz and Granit Xhaka having off nights.Winger Jonas Hofmann summed up the club's struggles, lamenting "many mistakes, individual mistakes, bad passes and simple technical errors." He said the performance was "not Bayer-like."Despite the disappointment, beating Kaiserslautern would make Leverkusen just the sixth side in German football history to do the double. Alonso urged his side to "transform our pain into positive energy."Kaiserslautern, despite their run to the final, only played one top-division side in the Cup, beating relegated Cologne. However, striker Ragnar Ache believes Leverkusen's vulnerability after Wednesday's loss could play into their hands."They have a very big squad with high quality players, and they're used to it," Ache said. "But it's still not going to be easy for us. We have to look at ourselves and what we are going to do."Leverkusen will be hoping to make amends for their Europa League disappointment, while Kaiserslautern will be looking to pull off a major upset. The final promises to be a fascinating clash between a wounded giant and a determined underdog.