A video that has gone viral on social media shows a Bayer Leverkusen staff member celebrating Roma’s win over Milan and Xabi Alonso said the Bundesliga champions want to prove they are ‘better’ than the Giallorossi.
Sky Sport Italia showed the moment Xabi Alonso and his Bayer Leverkusen staff members found out they would play Roma in the Europa League semifinals.
The Giallorossi eliminated Milan in the quarter-finals, while the fresh Bundesliga champions knocked West Ham out. Roma already eliminated Bayer from the Europa League semis last season.
Xabi Alonso and Bayer Leverkusen happy to meet Roma in UEL semis
Xabi Alonso explained his reaction during a post-match press conference: “We are happy to have qualified for the semis, and we are happy to meet Roma again,” the Spaniard said, as quoted by Tuttosport.
“They are different from last season, but football gives a second chance and we want to prove we are better than them.”
Tuttosport also reports De Rossi’s reply during his post-match press conference at the Olimpico yesterday.
“I didn’t see the video and I prefer not to comment. He [Xabi Alonso] was very elegant as a footballer, and we have mutual respect. Perhaps, they were happy because they were eliminated last season and want to get revenge.”
De Rossi’s reaction
Roma sit 5th in the Serie A table, which is enough to qualify for the Champions League as Serie A will have an extra team in Europe’s elite club competition next season.
Bayer, on the other hand, have already won the Bundesliga title, becoming German champions for the first time ever.
👀📱 The moment Xabi Alonso and his staff found out they will be playing Roma in the Europa League semi-finals. pic.twitter.com/6M5NpkZdqo
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) April 19, 2024