Emmanuel Thomas, DPA, Friday, May 5, 2023
COLOGNE – Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso wants to make history in the final spurt of his first season as a coach in the Bundesliga.
“We all want to forever remember this month of May. And the derby (against Cologne) is the first step,” Alonso told a news conference on Thursday.
Leverkusen welcome Cologne on Friday, six days before the first-leg of their Europa League semi-final tie against AS Roma.
“We’re not thinking about Roma yet,” Alonso, however, stressed.
The game against Cologne was last week moved forward to Friday from Sunday to give Leverkusen more preparation time for the Europa League game. But Cologne complained about the circumstances, including that they were informed too late and not involved in the decision-making, while Leverkusen admitted that the communication between both clubs was less than ideal.
Alonso said these issues “didn’t affect me, nor the team,” but added that he welcomed the schedule change.
“Of course it is better for us if we play two days earlier. We are the only German team in an European competition. From that point of view, I think you can understand that,” he said.
Alonso also dismissed the media reports saying he could leave Leverkusen at the end of the season to join the likes of Real Madrid or Tottenham.
“For me it’s normal that there are rumours at this stage of the season. But we still have big things to achieve this season. That’s why my head was 100% here for the last few months. And my head is also 100% here for next season,” he said.
