“There are some who tried, they had problems”, repeated a famous duo of French comedians. A maxim that applies today to Bayer Leverkusen’s season. The twenty-nine different teams that attempted to take them down all failed. First German club to finish its championship without defeat (36 matches), the Werkself now holds the longest unbeaten run (51) in European football (all competitions) after surpassing Eusebio’s Benfica record (48 matches between 1963-1965).
Will Charles De Ketelaere’s Atalanta be the thirtieth victim or will they be the first to win? “If we play our game, we have a good chance”the Red Devil is motivated in any case, even if many have made the same speech in recent months before having to bow to the football proposed by Xabi Alonso.
Lukaku came close
The progressive and offensive game advocated by the Spaniard has not yet found a sufficiently worthy opponent. But several came very close. For example, Stuttgart led 1-2 last month before a questionable equalizer saved Bayer. “But everyone pushed their limits”noted Stuttgart striker Chris Führich who puts his finger on two essential ingredients: mentality and intensity.
In the Europa League semi-final, Romelu Lukaku’s AS Roma also came close to the feat by leading 0-2 for 80 minutes in the return match. “We studied them during the videos. We had to be strong in possession to deprive them of the ball”, explained Big Rom, while his coach Daniele De Rossi had planned a plan to counter what was Bayer’s strength this season: the two full-backs. “We exchanged flanks and that was the main part of our preparation. We also opted for two attackers to be denser in the area and that allowed us to get a penalty.”
gullYou had to be strong in possession to deprive them of the ball.
But as De Rossi admits, it is “easy to say from the bench, it’s something else when they come to press you on the pitch.” The energy deployed in the pressing requested by Xabi Alonso perfectly symbolizes this team. Like his extremism in transforming defeats or shares into victories. Stuttgart and Roma have paid the price, like many other opponents: Leverkusen have scored seventeen goals this season in the 90th minute or in stoppage time.
”No one gives up. Everyone knows that if we lose, we will score a goal”, testifies Jeremie Frimpong, the rear of the B04. “I haven’t seen this happen often in football. It is difficult to explain”, admits Xabi Alonso. The conquering state of mind is one thing, but the champion’s luck is, on the other hand, difficult to control.
“We need to have a lot of confidence to win”, thinks Charles De Ketelaere. “We also have important strengths and I hope we can give them problems to make them make mistakes”punctuates his trainer Gian Piero Gasperini who, at 66 years old, could experience his greatest accomplishment.
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