Teamwork makes the dream work

Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso bids farewell to followers after loss

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Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso’s final residence sport in cost led to a 4-2 drubbing by Borussia Dortmund that boosted the guests’ possibilities of Champions League qualification on Sunday.

After the sport Alonso, who’s leaving the membership on the finish of the season, hung out on the pitch waving to supporters and saying goodbye after three years in cost that included a Bundesliga title and a German Cup trophy.

“We lived lots of particular moments and it was a blended feeling within the final residence sport. We’re grateful for what we achieved previously three years,” Alonso instructed a press convention after the loss. “I’ve modified lots in these years. We had many experiences. Fortunately most of them good ones, at this time perhaps not however I’ll overlook this one shortly. What I lived right here in Leverkusen has been very particular.”

Karim Adeyemi scored one purpose and arrange one other for scientific Dortmund to remain one level behind fourth-placed Freiburg with one spherical of the Bundesliga remaining.

Dortmund subsequent performs relegated Holstein Kiel, whereas Freiburg performs Eintracht Frankfurt within the closing spherical. The highest 4 groups qualify for Europe’s premier membership competitors.

Third-placed Frankfurt might clinch its place later Sunday with a win at residence towards St. Pauli, which was simply two factors above the relegation zone.

Alonso was honored for his influence on the membership earlier than kickoff, when defender Jonathan Tah additionally obtained tributes earlier than he leaves.

Celebrating with Alonso, his crew dominated from the beginning with a number of possibilities solely to be thwarted by Gregor Kobel within the Dortmund purpose.

“We performed an excellent first half however keeper [Dortmund keeper Gregor] Kobel made saves,” Alonso stated of the consequence. “Within the second half, we weren’t good. However soccer at this time for me was not an important factor.”

Florian Wirtz arrange Jeremie Frimpong to interrupt the impasse within the thirty first, when the Dutch wing again ran to Alonso, resulting in a crew celebration across the departing coach.

However Julian Brandt replied two minutes later with Dortmund’s first shot on purpose after Adeyemi pulled the ball again.

Kobel pulled off nice saves to disclaim Nathan Tella after which Wirtz, earlier than Pascal Groß arrange Julian Ryerson to attain with Dortmund’s second shot earlier than the break.

Leverkusen missed extra possibilities after it, earlier than Brandt despatched Adeyemi by to make it 3-1 within the 73rd. Serhou Guirassy made positive of the win 4 minutes later, earlier than Wirtz arrange Jonas Hofmann‘s comfort in stoppage time.

Data from The Related Press was used on this story.