Bayer Leverkusen has won the 81st DFB Pokal final. In front of 74,432 fans at the sold-out Olympiastadion in Berlin, Die Werkself beat 2. Bundesliga side 1. FC Kaiserslautern thanks to a single goal by Granit Xhaka (16’).
“We played 53 games, lost one, drew nine, and won 44,” Alonso said when asked about the season. “That is incredible.” The DFB Pokal victory caps off an incredible season. One that briefly looked to go sour.
The Bundesliga champions entered the match as favorites, but two factors made it tighter than anticipated. Leverkusen seemed nervous at times after being smashed by Atalanta (3-0) midweek in the Europa League final.
That defeat may have been a factor, as the club had a nervous start to the first half. That nervous start also affected Odilon Kossounou, who received an early yellow card (3’). That yellow card could have become a big factor, as Kossounou was sent off with a second yellow card before halftime. Kossounou was sent off during a phase of the game in which Leverkusen not only seemed to be in control but strolled to the second title of the season. After a slow start, Leverkusen took control of the match and took the lead thanks to a brilliant goal by Xhaka.
In theory, that should have settled it, but then came Kossounou’s second booking. Just after the center-back walked off, there was a brief moment in which the cameras focused in on Alonso; the Spaniard rubbed his face and looked tired.
It almost felt at that moment that Leverkusen’s brilliant season could end in tears. Would Kaiserslautern come back and pull a similar stunt as Atalanta did earlier this week?
Ultimately, the answer is no as Alonso found the right solutions. At halftime, Alonso took off Patrik Schick and Jonas Hofmann.
Granit Xhaka scored the goal that secured Bayer Leverkusen the DFB Pokal victory over 1. FC ... [+]
Josip Stanisic and Amine Adli replaced the two. And Stanisic, in particular, provided the necessary stability, while Adli made it difficult for Kaiserslautern to press high and put pressure on Leverkusen. “Adli and Stanisic added energy,” Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky said after the game in the mixed zone.
“We spoke about it at halftime,” Alonso said. “It was a difficult moment and a big challenge. But the players did a very good job compensating. An example of how well the season has gone and the perseverance the players have shown.”
As for Kaiserslautern. Why could the 2. Bundesliga side not put more pressure on Leverkusen? “We didn’t find the space to create chances,” Kaiserslautern head coach Friedhelm Funke said. “They are one of the best transition teams in the world, and at least we managed to keep them from scoring.”
That’s certainly true. But the flipside of this is that Kaiserslautern could not put pressure on Leverkusen. “They were waiting for this,” Funkel said. Leverkusen was but ultimately, didn’t need the opportunities as Kaiserslautern didn’t create enough dangerous moments. “It is a lack of player potential. We simply hit the maximum of our potential; more wasn’t possible.”
“We have to make good decisions for the future,” Alonso said. “We need a bit of time for the new season. I have the wish and the will to continue this path.”
For Funkel, it was a frustrating example against Germany’s best team. The 70-year-old has lost his last three finals. “All three by one goal and always against the German champion,” Funkel said. “Perhaps next time I am in a final, I will not play against the German champion.”
As for Leverkusen. How can Leverkusen top this? “The bar is quite high,” Alonso said. “We must analyze and make some decisions. Hopefully, we make the right decisions. The expectations will be high, and we have to be intelligent.” Ultimately, those expectations will be high after the double. “It is our job to manage the expectations,” Alonso said. But first Alonso and the entire team will take a much-needed rest. Will there be time to celebrate the double first? “Of course,” Alonso said.
Manuel Veth is the host of the Bundesliga Gegenpressing Podcast and the Area Manager USA at Transfermarkt. He has also been published in the Guardian, Newsweek, Howler, Pro Soccer USA, and several other outlets. Follow him on Twitter: @ManuelVeth and on Threads: @manuveth
https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiemh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmZvcmJlcy5jb20vc2l0ZXMvbWFudWVsdmV0aC8yMDI0LzA1LzI1L2JheWVyLWxldmVya3VzZW4tc2VjdXJlLWdlcm1hbi1kb3VibGUtd2l0aC0xLTAtd2luLW92ZXIta2Fpc2Vyc2xhdXRlcm4v0gEA?oc=5
2024-05-25 22:31:33Z
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