Social442
Eurosport 1yr ago
Eurosport - Unsupported browser
Source:Eurosport -

'If they don't want me, I will go anywhere else to win trophies' - Ten Hag defiant on United futureBayer Leverkusen sealed an historic double as they won the DFB-Pokal final with a 1-0 victory over Kaiserslautern.

Granit Xhaka's thunderous 16th-minute strike was enough for Xabi Alonso's side to complete a domestic season unbeaten and add the DFB-Pokal to their Bundesliga triumph.

Despite Leverkusen controlling the first half, their Bundesliga 2 opponents were given hope when Odilon Kossounou picked up a second booking and was sent off moments before the break.

Europa League Sensational Lookman hat-trick seals Europa League glory for Atalanta as Leverkusen beatenDespite Kaiserslautern introducing marksman Ragnar Ache, they had little to challenge Leverkusen who could have added further goals to their tally.

For Alonso's side, the victory quickly put to bed their midweek UEFA Europa League final defeat at the hands of Atalanta, which scotched their hopes of going the entire season unbeaten in all competitions.

Florian Wirtz caused Kaiserslautern problems throughout the night and forced goalkeeper Julian Krahl into action inside the opening 15 minutes.

After Xhaka opened the scoring Leverkusen dominated the first half with 73% possession.

With their opposition playing with 10 men in the second half Kaiserslautern saw more of the ball, but Alonso's side were rarely challenged.

Substitute Ache went closest when finding space and forcing Lukas Hradecky into a fine one-handed save on his way to recording a vital clean sheet.

At the opposite end Jeremie Frimpong had opportunities to seal the victory for Leverkusen but wasted his chances.

However, Alonso's side were deserved winners to clinch an historic league and cup double.

Talking Point - Alonso shows coaching excellence to help side home with 10 menDespite being a relatively inexperienced manager Xabi Alonso is wanted by clubs throughout Europe.

The Spaniard showed why as his side looked confident with 10 men on their way to clinching the DFB-Pokal.

Kaiserslautern marksman Ragnar Ache sent warning signs to Leverkusen early in the second half.

However, Alonso slowed his side down and made them hard to break down and from then on they were rarely troubled.

Play of the match - Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)Controlling the midfield, Wirtz provided the engine room behind a commanding Bayer Leverkusen display.

The 21-year-old showed experience beyond his years and could have had a goal or two himself.

However, it was the passing and control of Wirtz in midfield which made his side hard to break through and tough to beat.

Player RatingsKaiserslautern: Krahl 7, Zimmer 7, Tomiak 7, Elvedi 7, Puchacz 6, Kaloc 6, Raschi 6, Zolinski 6, Ritter 6, Redondo 7, Hanslik 7Subs: Ache 8, Tachie 6, Klement 6, Opoku 6, Toure 6Bayer Leverkusen: Hradecky 8, Kossounou 6, Tah 7, Tapsoba 7, Frimpong 6, Andrich 7, Xhaka 8, Grimaldo 7, Hofmann 6, Wirtz 8*, Schick 7Subs: Adli 6, Stanisic 7, Hincapie 7, Hlozek 6, Tella 6 Match Highlights16 - BIG SAVE BY KRAHLWirtz drives into the box with defenders lunging at his feet.

The forward keeps the ball at his feet before forcing Krahl into a save and Frimpong heads the rebound wide.

17 - GOAL! Kaiserslautern 0 Bayer Leverkusen 1 (XHAKA)An absolute rocket of a long-range effort from Xhaka with the ball falling nicely for him.

With lots to do Xhaka got right behind his strike which flew past the helpless goalkeeper26 - TOMIAK SAVES HIS SIDE AGAINGrimaldo causes chaos in the Kaiserslautern defence drawing the goalkeeper out before sending an inviting cross towards Schick.

However, Tomiak reads the ball perfectly and is in the right position to rescue his side.

45 - KOSSOUNOU SENT OFFBayer Leverkusen have been reduced to 10 men after Kossounou loses control of the ball and then leaves a foot in on his opponent.

The Leverkusen man knew what was coming and received a second yellow card.

45+3 - JUST WIDEKaiserslautern work the ball nicely around the box before it falls to Rasch whose low shot inside the box has the goalkeeper beaten but it flies inches wide of the far post.

62 - HRADECKY MAKES FINE SAVEA brilliant run by Ache sees him find space just outside the box before shooting across goal and forcing Leverkusen goalkeeper Hradecky into a one-handed save.

75 - LEVERKUSEN SHOULD HAVE A SECONDWirtz wins the ball and finds the run of Frimpong who takes it around the goalkeeper before passing it back inside the box straight at a covering defender.

Moments later Adli fires just wide.

Key StatsBayer Leverkusen had 73% of possession during the first half and then 57% of possession with 10 men after the break.

- - -TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing, NBA and WWE.

The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.

You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

Europa League Leverkusen stage another dramatic late comeback to reach final and break unbeaten record Europa League Andrich stunner sees Leverkusen's unbeaten run continue with first-leg triumph Stanisic grabs 97th-minute equaliser as Leverkusen deny Dortmund to extend unbeaten run.