adminBERLIN. — Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso can confirm his status as the rising star of coaching in tonight’s Europa League final, but he will come up against a wily old fox in Atalanta’s Gian Piero Gasperini.
Alonso has rebuffed advances from former football clubs Liverpool and Bayern Munich to remain in charge of Leverkusen after leading the club to their first ever Bundesliga title with an unprecedented unbeaten season.
The German champions have not lost in 51 games across all competitions and could wrap up a remarkable treble in two finals this week. Leverkusen are huge favourites to see off second-tier Kaiserslautern in the German Cup final on Saturday.
But they face a much trickier task in Dublin against an Atalanta side who could also achieve the greatest ever season in their history. A provincial club from Bergamo, Atalanta have traditionally lived in the shadow of the nearby giants AC and Inter Milan.
However, they are enjoying a golden age under Gapserini and will play in the Champions League next season for the fourth time in five years.
Yet, they have consistently missed out on a trophy to mark an era of punching above their weight. Atalanta have not lifted silverware for 61 years having lost three Coppa Italia finals in the last six seasons, most recently to Juventus less than a week ago.
“Is it the highest point of my career? Yes, in terms of accomplishment and prestige, absolutely,” Gasperini told Uefa.com on reaching the club’s first ever European final.
“I don’t think winning a cup is necessarily always part of the parameters by which success is judged. Everyone has their own goals. When you manage to exceed them by far, as has happened at Atalanta, you still have to be very satisfied.
“If we also manage to add a cup, of course, we’ll be even more satisfied.”
The 61-year-old said Atalanta’s “world has changed” since he took over eight years ago.
Back then just surviving in Serie A was a success. Now continental football may be commonplace, but they have en-joyed two of their finest ever nights in knocking out European giants Liverpool and Marseille on the road to Dublin. — AFP.
Online Reporter