A lively, mood-killing headlining gig was followed in Dublin. With winning the cup seeming inevitable, Bayer Leverkusen wants to end the historic season with another title today. Then just double.
With frustration and a top-down attitude, Leverkusen enters an lopsided DFB-Pokal final against second division side 1. FC Kaiserslautern today (live from 7pm on Erste and live on Sportschau). After a bitter 3-0 defeat in the Europa League final to Atalanta Bergamo, the German champions are now hoping for a glorious end to a historic season.
Coach Alonso: “We have to turn pain into energy”
“If it's not a hat-trick, it's a double. We still have a chance to have an almost perfect season.”said midfield strategist Granit Xhaka, after Dublin's title dream was shattered. Coach Xabi Alonso gave the slogan: “We have to turn pain into energy.”
Xhaka carries his team, which had not lost for nearly a year until last Wednesday, on his shoulders. “Now we have to see what kind of character this team really has.” said the Swiss. “Of course it's easier when everything is going well. When you don't lose 51 games, it's easy to stand next to each other and laugh. Now is the time to see which player has character and can come back quickly.”
Up to 80,000 fans are expected to attend the celebration
After the disappointment, Leverkusen want to show a mixture of self-confidence and defiance against the stark outsiders. “We have never seen a situation like this before.”Xhaka said. However, sporting director Simon Rolfes confirmed that his team “She has shown many times during the Games that she can rise again.”.
Plus, the power is on this season “Arising from past disappointment.” Leverkusen wants to get rid of the anger, but there may also be fears in the mind of a professional of spoiling the mood at the end of this unique season, especially in the final spurt and before the celebration on Sunday in Leverkusen. To an expected 80,000 fans.
He added: “It is clear to all of us that this season should end on a happier note.” Captain and goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky said: “That's why we have to deal with this bad feeling and take out the anger on Saturday.” Defense Minister Jonathan Tah sees the same thing. “We cannot let this defeat ruin everything for us.”
