Granit Xhaka reveals that Xabi Alonso’s attention to ‘small details’ is serving as inspiration for the team, in an exclusive interview with Bayer Leverkusen.

Granit Xhaka has revealed how the mindset of former player Xabi Alonso is inspiring Bayer Leverkusen as they aim for an historic unbeaten treble. Leverkusen recently extended their European record of 50 games unbeaten with a 5-0 victory over Bochum and are now focused on adding the UEFA Europa League and DFB-Pokal trophies to their collection.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Xhaka discussed the impact of Alonso’s wisdom from his successful playing career. The Swiss midfielder sought advice on various aspects of the game, including Alonso’s midfield partners, the strikers he played with, his coaches, and the importance of small details in football.

Xhaka emphasized the importance of having a calm mindset, even when facing adversity in a game. He cited examples of how Real Madrid, with Alonso in their team, turned around matches when they were losing and won games in extra time. Xhaka believes that maintaining composure and belief in difficult situations is crucial for competing with top teams.

Xhaka also provided insight into working with Alonso on a daily basis, highlighting the Spaniard’s fair approach to team selection. Alonso does not prioritize players based on their status or experience, but rather focuses on those who perform well in training. Xhaka praised Alonso’s ability to instill confidence in every player, regardless of their background or nationality.

Alonso himself has called on Leverkusen to “finish what we started” and make this season a historic one. Xhaka commended the team’s resilience and unity, noting that the season has had its challenges despite the unbeaten record. He emphasized the special bond within the club and the open communication between players and staff as key factors in their success.

When asked about the possibility of going unbeaten throughout the entire season, Xhaka expressed the difficulty in finding the right words to describe such an achievement. He believes that remaining unbeaten in the league is already special, but going unbeaten in all competitions would be an unparalleled feat. Xhaka doubts that any other team could replicate this accomplishment in the current football landscape.

Fans can watch the UEFA Europa League final between Bayer Leverkusen and Atalanta on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate, and discovery+. Expert analysis will be provided by a team including Peter Crouch, Joe Cole, and Owen Hargreaves. The match will take place at the Dublin Arena from 7pm.