Football News

The success of Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich in Europe this season highlights how impressive unbeaten Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen have been, coach Xabi Alonso said on Wednesday.

Alonso, speaking with Leverkusen on the brink of the Europa League final, congratulated Dortmund for making the Champions League final after beating Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 on aggregate on Tuesday.

Bayern Munich can make it an all-German final by defeating Real Madrid in their finely-balanced second leg on Wednesday.

Then Leverkusen can book their place in the Europa League showdown on Thursday if they can hold onto their 2-0 lead from the first leg against Roma.

Alonso's side were crowned German champions for the first time in their history in mid-April and are on a season-long unbeaten run of 48 games in all competitions this season.

"This high level in the Bundesliga means what we've been able to do is not easy," Alonso told reporters.

"It's very positive for the Bundesliga. I should congratulate Dortmund and congratulate Edin (Terzic, their coach), it's not easy to make it to the Champions League final.

"Yesterday they played as a team so congrats to them."

Leverkusen can break the record for successive unbeaten games set by Benfica in 1965 by avoiding defeat against Roma and are two league matches away from being the first side to go through a Bundesliga season unbeaten.

Alonso played in the Bundesliga for Bayern as well as with Liverpool in the Premier League and for Real Madrid in LaLiga before becoming a manager.

EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL BECKONS

He was linked with Jurgen Klopp's soon-to-be-vacant manager's job at Liverpool and the hotseat at Bayern Munich but has said he will remain at Leverkusen next season.

Alonso was asked whether the

Jurgen Klopp Xabi Alonso Bayer Leverkusen Liverpool