Harsh kick! Annoyed referee! Fantastic goal! - Alonso shakes up Bayer for a double triumph.
Bayer Leverkusen emerges victorious in the DFB-Pokal with a 1:0 win over Kaiserslautern. Granit Xhaka nets the game-winning goal in the 16th minute.
After a disappointing 0:3 defeat in the Europa League final against Atalanta Bergamo, Bayer begins a celebration filled with parties. They start with a parade from Cologne to Bayer Stadium with 40,000 fans in tow.
Coach Xabi Alonso reflects on the emotional journey ahead, "We've moved on from the loss. Now it's time to focus on this cup!"
Contrastingly, veteran coach Friedhelm Funkel, possibly in his last match as head coach, is determined to get one over on the gladiators, "My team will achieve the unthinkable."
Funkel, a former player with Bayer Uerdingen from the 1985 DFB-Pokal-winning squad, shares a memorable anecdote, "Back then, when we reached the semis, the fans coined the phrase 'Berlin! Berlin! We're going to Berlin!'"
A fascinating subplot surfaces as Kaiserslautern dons jerseys with the silhouette of legend Andreas Brehme, who won the cup for FC Kaiserslautern in 1996, the last time they claimed victory.
With Bayer, arguably playing on fumes, the first big chance belongs to the hosts. Redondo commits a yellow card foul on Kossounou (3rd minute). Sky expert Lothar Matthäus opines, "There was no infringement. The player simply has a stronger build. This yellow card was unjust."
Hanslik shoots from 20 meters and forces Hradecky into a terrific save (12th minute), hinting at Leverkusen's fragility.
A minute later, Leverkusen finds the back of the net through a remarkable strike by Xhaka from 23 meters away. Although he celebrates with his teammates, Xhaka's celebration appears restrained compared to his injury celebration in February that sparked controversy. Visibly tensed, Alonso leads his troops from the bench and keeps them motivated.
Despite having the upper hand, a problem develops when Kossounou receives a red card for kicking Tomiak in the shin after a midfield challenge (44th minute). This is the first red card Bayer has faced this season, and Lautern fans disapprove of Kossounou's actions.
The player is quickly sent off and the game goes to halftime. The second half's start is delayed due to a fireworks show initiated by fans that lasts minutes, prompting a pause in play.
Lautern pushes forward, goal-seeking attempts by Ache are unsuccessful (62nd minute). Ultimately, Bayer holds on, winning the cup.
An interesting state of affairs alongside this includes the European places in the Bundesliga. With Leverkusen being both the league champion and cup winner, Stuttgart will now face Bayern in the Supercup, which takes place before the start of the upcoming Bundesliga season.
There, Alonso's shiny trophy collection can continue.
Consequentially, Heidenheim, as a result of Leverkusen's doubly triumphant season, earns the right to participate in the preliminary rounds of the Conference League.
A titillating close marking off a monumental season with a plethora of cherries on top.
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Source: symclub.org
