Xabi Alonso's domestic double winners almost went all the way to European glory last season; now Bayer Leverkusen's journey to go that final mile this time around begins at the home of the current Dutch Cup holders Feyenoord in the UEFA Champions League.

bundesliga.com offers 5 reasons as to why last season's record breakers will come out on top at De Kuip. 

1) Overcoming recent heartache 

Leverkusen’s run to the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League final was a thrill-a-minute ride for all who witnessed it. A perfect group stage campaign was followed by an unbeaten knockout phase that brought the Werkself all the way to the Dublin showpiece. Yet once there, Xabi Alonso’s side produced an uncharacteristically flat display and their Italian opponents Atalanta took advantage, winning 3-0 in the Irish capital on 22 May.

The loss, and the manner in which it came, surprised Alonso and his team. After all, a maiden reverse following an astonishing unbeaten run of 51 games in all competitions will have been felt by all concerned. “A first defeat in the season normally happens a lot sooner,” Alonso explained afterwards. “The fact that this was our first in a game of such importance hurts, but we have to deal with that pain in a positive manner and try to transform it into good energy,” the tactician continued.  

“I'm certain we'll learn from this because you don't soon forget a defeat in a final. We weren't at our best here, me included, and we will learn - starting from here.”

Leverkusen followed that game by winning the DFB Cup to make it an unforgettable unbeaten domestic double. Now in with the elite of the UEFA Champions League, Bayer 04 are determined to avenge their European heartache, beginning at Feyenoord.  

Watch: Leverkusen want more celebrations like these

2) Dutch courage

Solely based on Leverkusen’s record against teams from the Netherlands and their opening opponents this season, the German champions need not be overly concerned. Bayer are unbeaten against Dutch sides in six meetings, winning three and drawing three. On their way to winning the 1988 UEFA Cup, the Factory Eleven knocked Feyenoord out in the third round of the competition by 3-2 on aggregate. On that occasion, B04 played out a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Rotterdam before winning the return 1-0.  

3) Wirtz wizardry

Florian Wirtz was named the Europa League’s Young Player of the Year for the second successive season after last term’s final and he followed that with being voted as the Bundesliga’s Player of the Season. The 21-year-old weighed in with eight goal involvements (four goals, four assists) in European competition in 2023/24 and was a key player in helping his side to reach a major continental final.

Watch: Wirtz - 2023/24's Bundesliga Player of the Season

About the players

10

Florian Richard

Wirtz

Bayer 04 Leverkusen

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“Everyone wants to prove themselves, which is how it should be because a team lives off that [and] I think that's exactly the right approach for this new season,” Leverkusen’s magical No.10 said recently. Wirtz will be extra eager to prove himself in the UEFA Champions League, beginning at Feyenoord.  

4) The Xabi factor

It all changed for Bayer 04 under the leadership of the multi-talented, title-hungry Spaniard. Starting from 5 October 2022 – when he took up the reins at the BayArena – Leverkusen fans have been in thrall to a coach who has won it all.  A Champions League winner as a player with Liverpool and Real Madrid, the 42-year-old’s experience in the competition will be a huge asset to Leverkusen, who are competing among the European elite for the first time since 2019/20.  

Watch: A tactical analysis of champions Leverkusen

“I've always been impressed by Xabi Alonso's mentality,” former Leverkusen coach Jupp Heynckes told Werkself Magazine. “I have a very special connection to the Basque country where Xabi Alonso comes from,” the former Athletic Bilbao coach – who won the European Cup at the helm of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid – added. 

“I was deeply impressed by the people there. [Alonso’s] temperament was evident early on. That was the root of his big success. In his first nine months [in charge of Bayer 04], he recognised exactly where the weak points were, where the squad needed to be strengthened, where there was a need for more quality.” No doubt Alonso will be just as astute when putting together his game plan for Leverkusen’s Champions League opener.  

5) Never say die attitude

The problem for teams facing last season’s double winners is that opponents are all too wary that the German champions are never, ever down and out. Leverkusen scored an astounding 17 stoppage-time goals in all competitions last term, with 34 netted from minute 80 onwards.

A new season saw much of that same never-give-up mentality when Bayer beat Stuttgart on penalties to lift the Supercup after forward Patrik Schick had levelled the game (2-2) in the 88th minute. 

Watch: Leverkusen at the last once more

On the opening day of a new Bundesliga season, Alonso’s men were at it again. With the match against Borussia Mönchengladbach poised to end in a 2-2 draw, Wirtz scored to make it 3-2 to his side in the 11th minute of stoppage time.

Feyenoord, you have been warned!

About the clubs

Bayer 04 Leverkusen

BayArena