Leverkusen want to take advantage of their “second chance” in the Europa League, says Alonso
Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso said on Wednesday that his team wants to take advantage of “a second chance” in the Europa League semi-final with Roma, getting past the team that eliminated them in the same phase of the competition last season, reports AFP.
“It’s important for us to come back here, the last time was painful. Now we have a second chance against Roma”Alonso said during the press conference prior to Thursday’s match, the first leg in Rome.
“That’s football, sometimes things don’t go your way. It’s a great atmosphere here and it will be an important game, but not decisive.”
Leverkusen and beaten finalist Roma met in the Europa League semi-finals in 2023, with the Italians winning the first leg 1-0 at home and reaching the final after a goalless draw in the second leg in Germany.
“I would say it feels like a second chance. A second chance to do better. Last time we deserved at least a goal and to take the game to extra time.” Alonso stated.
“They are a different team, they have changed a lot (since the arrival of coach Daniele De Rossi). We expect an intense match.”
De Rossi took over from Jose Mourinho in January when Roma were ninth in Serie A. The Europa Conference League 2022 winners are now fifth and have lost just three times in all competitions.
But Leverkusen are also a different side to last season’s semi-final and, after winning a first Bundesliga title last month, are still unbeaten this season in all competitions with an impressive 38 wins and eight draws .
“We want to get revenge, we’ve all talked about it”said Leverkusen forward Patrik Schick, who spent two years at Roma between 2017 and 2019.
