It’s been quite the few days for Bayer Leverkusen. On Sunday, they clinched their first ever Bundesliga title in the club’s history, ending Bayern Munich’s 11-year monopoly and now, the club are on the verge of reaching a Europa League semi-final in consecutive seasons.
With a DFB Pokal final also on the cards, there’s a potential treble-winning season for Bayer 04 on the line. But even after post-match celebrations which went long into the night and having Monday off, Xabi Alonso fired a warning to West Ham that his players are ready for a difficult task ahead.
Speaking to reporters at Wednesday’s press conference, Alonso said: “The team have given me no reasons to doubt their commitment. I feel the hunger and the desire of the players to keep going. For sure we are going to be ready. I have all the confidence that we will play here to go through.”
Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen are history makers! Here's the moment they were crowned Bundesliga champions.
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Bayer Leverkusen left it late against Qarabag
Heading into stoppage time against Qarabag FK in the Round 0f 16, Bayer were heading out of the competition. But a brace from Patrik Schick secured a place in the Europa League quarter-finals. Drawn against West Ham, Bayer hold a 2-0 lead over the Premier League side, but while confident, Alonso knows it will remain a difficult task.
“We are expecting a tough game. West ham have the experience of turning a tie around like after the Freiburg game, they got the result. Hopefully we will play our football, we are not here to just defend ourselves,” added Alonso.
