Leverkusen Removes Called 'Neverkusen', Xabi Alonso: Worth A Treble

Bayer Leverkusen has ambitions to win trebles this season after stepping into the Europa League final. (X/@bayer04fussball)

Bayer Leverkusen had a bad stigma 'Neverkusen' for not being able to win trophies. Coach Xabi Alonso helped Leverkusen erase the bad trail. He also believes Leverkusen deserves to win trebles this season.

"Neverkusen" a term with ridicule when Leverkusen actually won three titles in the 2002 season. But they failed in Germany's Bundesliga, DFB Pokal or the German Cup and Champions League.

Leverkusen, who at that time had a line-up of star players such as Michael Ballack, Carsten Ramelow, Oliver Neuville, and Bernd Schneider who became the backbone of the German national team. In addition, there are Brazilian national team defenders Lucio. They are handled by coach Klaus Toppmoller.

At that time, Leverkusen was said to be the league champion because he had already topped the table and was five points ahead with Borussia Dortmund. They also stepped into the German Cup final.

Success continues in European competitions. Even in the semifinals of the Champions League, Leverkusen eliminated Manchester United's favorite team. It's just that in the final, they met Real Madrid who owned Zinedine Zidane and the icon Raul Gonzalez.

But the almost successful story all ended in pain. That season is like a treble for Leverkusen.

How could I not, in the Bundesliga competition, Leverkusen, who are just one step away from winning, have lost two of the last three matches. Dortmund, who then won the league title after winning their three matches.

In the German Cup final, Leverkusen's tragic fate. They did not move and lost 4-2 against Schalke.

Finally, Leverkusen was helpless when they met Madrid in the Champions League final. Zidane's legendary volley silenced Leverkusen with a score of 2-1.

So upset with Leverkusen's failure, a fan then made the term 'neverkusen' on the club's website. Not having the expression attached to the club before being abolished by Alonso.

The coach, who was hunted by Liverpool and Bayern Munich before declaring his commitment at Leverkusen, took the team to the Europa League final.

In the second semifinal match at home at BayArena Stadium, Friday, May 10, 2024, Leverkusen almost lost before drawing 2-2 against AS Roma.

They not only extended the unbeaten record but the result also gave Leverkusen a 4-2 aggregate win.

Because in the first match at the Olimpico, they won 2-0. In the final, Jeremie Frimpong et al met Atalanta who got rid of Marseille.

The success of qualifying for the Europa League final opens up opportunities for Leverkusen to win trebles. After winning the Bundesliga for the first time in club history, Leverkusen also reached the German Cup final.

Alonso hopes that the team can meet the target of achieving trebles. However, they will play two final matches in the near future.

After serving Atalanta on Thursday, May 23, 2024 in the morning WIB, Leverkusen then metUSlautern in the final of the DFB Pokal on Sunday, May 26, 2024 in the morning WIB.

"We have to undergo two finals in one week. Of course we have to anticipate and make good preparations," said Alonso, who said he was sure he could catch up with the goal even though he was 2-0 behind against Roma.

"We showed a strong character [in the match against Roma]. Especially after they scored the second goal. When I looked into their eyes, I immediately knew they wanted more," said Alonso.

Now, according to Alonso, they are looking at three titles in one season. "We have the opportunity to win three titles. Players deserve [treble]," he said again.

Leverkusen's success in getting rid of Roma was quite dramatic. They fell behind through two penalties by Leandro Paredes.

However, Leverkusen managed to reduce the lag after defender Gianluca Mancini scored an own goal.

Furthermore, substitute Josip Stanisic scored a goal that equalized the score to 2-2 in injury time.

"Ini menjadi salah satu momen terbaik dalam karier saya. Tentu kami sangat ingin mencapai final dan Anda bisa menyaksikannya selama 90 menit pertandingan," kata Stanisic menanggapi pertandingan itu.

"I actually don't mind if I end up losing because we can still qualify. But we really want to go to the final and we managed to do it with a better result," said the Croatian national team player.