Steve Nicol praises Leverkusen's mentality in Europa League after clinching Bundesliga | ESPN FC

The ESPN FC crew reacts to Bayer Leverkusen's 2-0 win over Roma in the Europa League.
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[@whatudoin1]

Everybody would have laughed a year ago if someone said that vizekusen would perform like this. Respect!

[@hankjones7054]

To be fair they massively outplayed Roma in last years semi final as well, it's just they were up against the master of big game defending in Mourinho.

[@vincentvries9854]

@@hankjones7054 Mourinho is the best tactician in the world, people don't realize this. All they see is boring football and anti football and blah blah blah but the detail in Jose's setups, the man prepares for all the opponent strengths and weaknesses as well as his team's strengths and weaknesses, nobody gets this balance right especially in finals, nobody but Jose.

[@user-kw5vk3cd3q]

Mourinho plays defensive but he is effective and win cups​@vincentvries9854

[@vitanus]

Noone was talking about Leverkusen before the season. The term Vizekusen was rarely used because Leverkusen didnt matter much these past 23 seasons. They were either good or mediocre, but never a title contender. The term came up again only this season cause the Media picks up whatever it can to create a story.

[@DarkarThanBlack]

Seeing how Wirtz organised the attack in that game like he's a 30+ veteran while making one world class pass after the other and casually scoring the 0:1 himself makes me think he may be the best player in the world right now. That guy has like 200 IQ and massive skill

[@user-jz8mc5gj6y]

he just turned 21 today and coming off a serious acl injury. on course for an unbeaten treble and already has 18 goals and 19 assists for leverkusen this season with 6 games left to play. should pass the 20 mark in both categories by seasons end

[@saurabhsharma4304]

If Germany win Euro due to his good performance then he will be strong candidate for Ballon Dor..

[@johnjim6793]

I wonder what his market value is right now.

[@dipeshpandey29]

Bro deserves a ballon dor but people wont talk about it because they will give it to a madrid or a city player or mbappe. Crime to be a german😢

[@denisde9036]

@@johnjim6793His market value is currently at 110 million € which is quite a number for his age. If the fairytale finds it end in the treble and on top of that successful Euros for Germany it will probably go up even more

[@onialex64]

They will still be talking about this Leverkusen team 100 years from now.

[@cristianebrahimovich9080]

Its been 100 years of when and now its gon be 100 years of disbelieve story. I thank God for a chance to witness such👏👏🙌

[@jackbauer5455]

Maybe or maybe not but I will likely be dead by then so I can't verify that statement lol

[@makavali-yb7xv]

Maybe in germany yeah

[@ronny-lb1cr]

​@@makavali-yb7xv Leverkusen's winning streak in all competitions is the international measure to break. Don't be jealous outside of Germany

[@muhammadsanneh2510]

Congratulations to Xabi Alonso and his team.. this is unbelievable 🔥

[@samszeto7510]

Roma plays terrible, no tactic , no confidence , no back up plan. Roma has won so many games since Rossi took over, but today he couldn’t get it done. That’s why Roma shouldn’t have fired Jose the master one

[@dembekalule]

​@@samszeto7510you nailed it but you forgot one thing the game Roma has won since Mourinho got fired even Mourinho could have won them

[@peterhammer6915]

@@samszeto7510 Leverkusen is just a much better team than anything in Serie-A

[@daviddaniel8025]

@@peterhammer6915 inter are no minnows though

[@nz72120]

So nice to see Espn faces when Germans rock, especially Marcotti)))

[@adamzimmer762]

Just wait till the euros lol

[@mickzed6393]

Leverkusen/Bayern and BVB and even RBL was great against RM. Bundesliga shining in Europe this year. It also feels like Germany is coming out of its funk and looking strong for EURO. Neuer, Kimmich, Rudiger, Tah, Andrich, Gunda, Kroos, Wirtz, Musiala, Muller, Sane, Gnabry.................. No lack of talent and in form players.

[@saurabhsharma4304]

Add Goretzka also

[@saurabhsharma4304]

And Havertz too

[@saurabhsharma4304]

And fulkrug

[@kyorikusagami84]

Dont forget dortmund players

[@mickzed6393]

@@saurabhsharma4304 Forgot in form Havertz

[@kingpro866]

Neverlusen on the cusp of history

[@tobiwan001]

And again before the game they still claimed that AS Roma was the clear favourite. And this time it was not about market value (Leverkusen 600m euros, AS Roma 330m euros) and it was not because one is an EPL team (obviously none is) and it was not because they are better in the domestic league (Leverkusen is 1st and Roma is 5th). And Leverkusen has been unbeaten now in 47 games in a row! Still they consider Roma the clear favourite without giving any plausible reason. At some point they have to admit they just have an anti-Bundesliga bias for some reason. It's been consistent for years.

[@cristianebrahimovich9080]

Facts. You can't trust what they say before game. Coz they play like Champions every game and keep goin higher

[@UnknownUser_10]

⁠@@cristianebrahimovich9080To be honest, if Espn experts predict something just bid money on the opposite of their prediction

[@cristianebrahimovich9080]

@@UnknownUser_10 🤣🤣😂will do from now on.

[@tobaepebinuade5830]

Bayer Leverkusen are 6 games away from officially making history. They won the Bundesliga already with games to spare, they’re in the final of the German Cup and they’re a game from getting to the Europa League final. They’ve done all of this while still being undefeated. They’re about to win the treble and not lose a game. I don’t know how they’ve managed to pull all of this off and I just feel like these guys are invincible knowing full well that right now nobody can beat them. That is just ridiculous and it’s unheard of what Xabi Alonso is doing with this team. Against Roma, they didn’t have to rely on scoring late in that game to keep their unbeaten streak alive, they’ve done it many times of late where they’re on the verge of losing only for them to win or draw the game and avoid a defeat. This time around in the Roma game they got a comfortable 2-0 victory in very good position for the 2nd leg. They’re having one of the best seasons we’ve ever seen and even after winning the Bundesliga they’re literally hungry for more. You can’t blame Harry Kane’s trophy curse for this because Bayer Leverkusen just can’t lose right now, I mean they’ve been so good that even if Bayern Munich weren’t at their best they cannot compete with his Leverkusen team. Xabi Alonso ended the “Neverkusen” tag by winning the Bundesliga which ended Bayern Munich’s dominance officially and are about to win everything while potentially going unbeaten and this team needs to be stopped because who’s really beating them. Every team that’s tried to beat them have failed and that’s how it’ll continue.

[@jango2700]

you must have a alot of time on your hands

[@ab-uo6rd]

I am scared of the second leg because if they are 0-1 behind its still like a win for them but it would end their streak.

[@myp0h]

I know. This guy is writing like it's his final thesis discussion. ​@@jango2700

[@cristianebrahimovich9080]

​@@jango2700😂😂😂

[@UnknownUser_10]

To be honest, yesterday I expected one of their hardest games this season and they played very well. They also had some luck in the beginning and the end but overall it was a deserved 2-0 victory away from home. What is also amazing to see is that when they have to play for something they don’t rely on last minute equalizers. In the league they are already through and I think that was also a reason why they did not give their all in the last two league games. But this team is scary! The quality and they are amazing on every position and their bank is amazing too and their coach is absolutely mesmerizing.

[@2bocamipalo]

even as a bayern munich fan i hope their run keeps going for a bit longer, its great witnessing history and a feat like this is crazy to think about

[@peterchampagne3937]

There is only one word to describe Alonso and this Bayern Leverkusen team (Greatness) making history upon history period... I hope they unbeaten in all competition even thou I'm not a Leverkusen fanz but I'm a football lover!!!

[@cristianebrahimovich9080]

This has to keep going

[@mehedi8331]

I really want bayer leverkusen to stay unbeaten whole season. They were amazing. They deserve that. The invinsible team.

[@deathfromabove4605]

Seems like its Germany's year, everything going well for them

[@wokeaf1337]

Let us hope so, there is still the EURO to be played.

[@tsimoi273]

Wirtz and Andrich 🇩🇪

[@Israelraimund-yz8st]

I rate xabi as the current best coach and his team as the best team in football

[@yaman3566]

I like how Steve's legs are dangling like a little kid.

[@K.A.O169]

BUT BUT BUT Stevie said Leverkusen don't care about being unbeaten.

[@ShubhamGupta-ks9ub]

In Bundesliga

[@cristianebrahimovich9080]

Naa they care. Trust me they highly care. Watch how they celebrate their late goals and you will see. Its like they just won the world cup

[@demian9715]

The players literally said they care in an interview

[@1hagerachin]

This is what I call a team. There is no one shining player in the team, everyone is just contributes the same

[@khshkhshkhsh]

Total football

[@henriqueguimaraes121]

Glory to Leverkusen, what a Fairytale season they are having.

[@AllisterRussell]

Well they are never-losing❤

[@hishaamhussain3786]

Leverkusen are 6 games away from becoming invincibles in both Germany and Europe they deserve lot of credit for the way they played also they are relegation contenders when Alonso arrived he changed the team completely

[@robayetsalehin5719]

imagine the match between madrid and Leverkusen in super cup. Comebacks after combacks after comebacks. Somebody needs to gofront in that match.....

[@DanielJesusObsessedFit]

Bayern or BVB vs Leverkusen for Super Cup, Bayer Levern going home with 4 thorpies this year

[@robayetsalehin5719]

@@DanielJesusObsessedFit power of friendship vs kane curse? not happening

[@saurabhsharma4304]

Madrid won't go pass bayern in 2nd leg..they will play spanish super cup with Athletic club 😂😂

[@pratikroy227]

Under Xabi Alonso Bayer Leverkusen became a team no one saw coming It kinda reminds me of Union Berlin of season before ofcourse far better managed and with far more resources. But their fall has been steep this season I wonder whether Leverkusen can maintain this success next season or are they another one season wonder like Union Berlin.

[@johnjim6793]

What I just can‘t my head around is how no one has been able to sniff Alonso‘s team out so far. The world has been watching them for a year now, but still no coach has found a way to successfully counter Bayer‘s tactics. That is a very unusual thing nowadays.

[@mamadousy9632]

If they lose a game this season It will be in Bundesliga Otherwise they go undefeated of course

[@UnknownUser_10]

The last two were the hardest. I think and hope they end this season unbeaten. I‘m not a Leverkusen fan, but it would be cool to see a team doing this.

[@roaldruss4211]

Leverkusen, the new invincibles?

[@shamanbhattacharyya9285]

Yep

[@Anon-Man.]

it goes to show that having a good coach any team can succeed.

[@samszeto7510]

Alonso did a vengeance for Mourinho…. De Rossi needs to learn how to play big games …

[@XBLLinkedJosh]

Leverkusen will win everything. MARK MY WORDS

[@TB-vm9yr]

Wow Stevie praising a German team with no sly back hand digs about how the overrated Prem is better. I need a cup of coffee now!

[@sheltonbotes8357]

Na the main success is simple, xabi is not an idiot He plays games where they have 70% of the ball and others where they have 40%. He adaps. If he plays Bayern he counter attacks. If he plays werdebremen he controls the game and outpasses them. Where some managers only play 1 way he will change for certain games. He is amazing

[@ih8mcfly]

An invincible season in all competitions. Must the the first ever right?!

[@antcunningham1997]

It would be, No team has ever done it before in football history but, bayer leverkusen could be the first team to do it. And I really hope they do it. 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@liqiz1755]

@@antcunningham1997😮🎉

[@khurmiful]

Best story of the year, football wise

[@homegame762]

Nerverlusen is going nuts 😂

[@lizardlordlordoflizards5096]

Great team Leverkusen. I will be shocked if they dont go on and win the competition now. Actually, before Liverpool"s meltdown, I did think that the Reds were the only team who could give them a run for their money and even beat them if they played to their full potential. Anyway, that"s history now as Klopp"s boys messed it up leaving Alonso to possibly be the new Jurgen. And a final word on Roma: they got what they deserved for sacking Jose earlier in the season. He was the only other person who would have been able to possibly outwit Alonso and win the competition. That club just wasted their chance of winning another trophy as Jose is a proven winner. The new Roma coach is doing quite well ( I have to admit ) but Jose reaching two European finals in two years was a stunning achievement and now what will they win?!! 0

[@ekeneeze5274]

I completely agree with you mate.

[@matthewmaayen1088]

Imagine they go unbeaten for 2 seasons

[@Ajaybalaji_]

It isn't happening they are playing UCL next season ! And potentially a winner of UCL in super cup if they win uel but we may never know

[@tobaepebinuade5830]

Rodri’s unbeaten streak or Bayer Leverkusen lose a game which of these will happen first. For the ones who say “he lost to Real Madrid” technically that counts because they got knocked out of the champions league, but it was on penalties which was after 120 minutes in a knockout stage game. Excluding penalties and extra time, Rodri has gone 400+ days without losing a game for Manchester City within 90 minutes let that sync in and Bayer Leverkusen on the other hand haven’t lost a game in over 341 days.

[@peterhammer6915]

Rodri is one person. Leverkusen is a team. Quite a difference.

[@tobaepebinuade5830]

@@peterhammer6915i agree, but since February 5th 2023 excluding penalties and extra time, Rodri hasn’t tasted defeat for Manchester City in 90 minute games, Bayer Leverkusen as a collective haven’t lost a game in over 300+ days which is almost a year. Player and a team is different, I just wonder when their respective unbeaten runs will come to an end.

[@ARIYANZA]

Madrid vs Leverkusen for the Super Cup

[@rudranshparab2007]

O just wanted to see them how they performance against real Madrid man city PSG. Bayern and liverpool without club coach player conflict. They played amazing with clubs of their calliber. How they perform against strong clubs

[@saurabhsharma4304]

They will dismantle all on their current form..they have too many young, speedy and energetic players and xaca performing well in midfield..

[@TB-vm9yr]

Id say they would trounce Liverpool just like Atalanta did

[@polymath_sa9745]

​@@saurabhsharma4304They stand no chance against Man City, unless they can defend like Real Madrid... City is just another level, made Real Madrid play like Shiffield United

[@saurabhsharma4304]

​@@polymath_sa9745Man city is overrated..too much indirect passing game with out any result plus Haaland is becoming burden, Rodri getting exhausted, as a whole team, bayer leverkusen is much more efficient and dangerous. Bayer will win trable this season without losing any game and next year if they retained same team, plus added 1/2 quality players like xaka, they will create havoc in Europe to bigger teams.

[@polymath_sa9745]

@saurabhsharma4304 Why did Real Madrid with the quality of players they have defend with their lives like a small team fighting for relegation? We know Real Madrid is strong but they're scared of Man City they knew if they tried to play their normal game against City they will be thrashed... City play is very efficient that's why they've been dominant in England.. Real Madrid defence had to be perfect against City. Real Madrid might have knocked City out but City is the best team. Leverkusen won't stand a chance if attacking football they play, they'll have to park the bus and hope for a draw like Real Madrid

[@magnusmotor1364]

De Rossi isnt Mourinho. :)

[@wonderboy855]

They will win the Europa league no question

[@Apocalypse21OG]

Arsenal are biting their nails thinking that they are losing their sole owner of the invincible title.

[@rshehi]

Xhaka the 👐 GOAT

[@liqiz1755]

😮🎉 truly warrior

[@raj-khotmarathawarriorclan]

Farmer leauge is farming epl

[@hilalabbas]

This team should have been in the champions league this year

[@user-ub2tp1jn4u]

Granit Xhaka baby....ha ha ha LMFAO

[@awesome1ru]

Xabi will win a treble UNDEFEATED 😱

[@str3672]

Is Xavi Alonso about to do what Mourinho did with Porto

[@peterhammer6915]

Mourinho did great with Porto but Leverkusen is on a totally different level as a team than Porto was 20 years ago.

[@str3672]

@@peterhammer6915 I'm not comparing them. I'm trying to say something else. And no they aren't better than the Porto team. I've seen both teams play.

[@peterhammer6915]

@@str3672 😂😂. Leverkusen not better than that Porto team? Ok dude 😄

[@LeonardoRua124]

❤

[@allenmartinalmeida4728]

Madrid vs leverkusen will be fun .. both teams don’t know how to lose ..

[@Ajaybalaji_]

Madrid ? We are not yet in finals we should be calm !

[@saurabhsharma4304]

Exclude Vini, Rodrigo and Bellighm and what will left in Madrid 😂😂

[@Ajaybalaji_]

@@saurabhsharma4304 😭 you know nothing then madrid are more than that Valverde is more important for the team than Bellingham and Rodrigo and you forgot rudiger who is unarguably the best defender this year and Carvajal clicked our very well this season shut up and sleep 😂

[@saurabhsharma4304]

​@@Ajaybalaji_madrid has an aged squad, their strong players are Modric, Kroos, Carvajal, Nacho which are on verge of retiring, they are heavily depend on these players to deliver, kroos and modric are like Iniesta and Xavi, once they retire, madrid will be very weak and they won't find suitable alternative for them, Mbappe is coming who is again a overrated player and he will create differences between him, vini and Bellingham, he is very self centric and selfish player and won't consider secondary role in team, ultimately differences will be created, he will be a direct competitor of Vini, both of them won't play together in starting lineup and whole squad will be devided, either he, vini or Rodrigo's role will be effected. Their fate is more looking like Manchester United and they will struggle in next 4/5 Years. Their transition will be very bad.

[@Ajaybalaji_]

@@saurabhsharma4304 😭😭your analysis is so funny let's see which club is more successful after 10 years starting from 2024

[@muhammadsanneh2510]

47 game's unbeaten? Wow absolutely incredible 👏 A true Madrid start won't Skip 🤍

[@andymurday4538]

They will bow out in the second leg. Watch.

[@dembekalule]

Wat are u smoking in Germany no way u should have said in the final bu

[@peterhammer6915]

the only way it could be possible would be Leverkusen to play with 8 men. They would probably still win with 9.

[@saurabhsharma4304]

They will dismantle Roma at their home..won't be surprise if they win 3-0 or 4-0..

[@liqiz1755]

@@saurabhsharma4304😮🎉 maybe Wirtz Hattrick or Boniface goals

[@saurabhsharma4304]

@@liqiz1755 agreed

[@loudmouthdiaries5188]

These are the moment you need mourinho. Mourinho ruining unbeaten streak. Too bad for Roma

[@dembekalule]

For sure these dam board fired him

[@liqiz1755]

@@dembekalule😮🎉

[@subtropicalken1362]

Will BM come to their senses and take Stanisic back?

[@Dante--X]

Prem fans and English media are killing themselves watching Bundesliga cruise up this season in Europe.. Steve wish that was an English team ..He can't even praise them well Prem -> Glorified farmers league

[@allenmartinalmeida4728]

Stevie is Scottish .. they hate the English .. btw

[@TheBhattacharya]

Not even GOD can beat NEVERLOOSEN 😤😤❤❤

[@kayodeogidan]

Credit where credit is due these guys are good. Hats off to Leverkusen though I would've loved it if he went to Loserpool.

[@Israelraimund-yz8st]

Watch out champions League next season

[@user-hw7tn6vs2i]

Thought all these pundit said de rossi is better for roma than Mourinho.....mourinho brought roma winning conference league ..and europa league final only lost through penalty shoot out....enough said ..

[@P.K...]

He parked the bus in the second leg against leverkusen 😂

[@ekeneeze5274]

Now they miss Mourinho's pragmatism. Reaching 2 European finals is no easy fit.

[@christianwag3015]

Hocus pocus team

[@djbarbergreen3388]

Did Villa play last night ..you guys are a joke as an British sports fan dont expect a fairness on exposure when it comes the EPL .its so arrogant but in reality we shouldn't be surprised the London centric or Liverpool Manchester Newcastle smoke blowing is the norm in this country theres just a big hole in the midlands with 3 European cups at the bottom of it

[@obioraokoye4377]

Imagine a season where PSG an Leverkusen make history simultaneously.

[@tsimoi273]

Club financed with blood money cannot have a history.

[@bapunayak7018]

Haha ha PShit

[@procrastinator1159]

Leverkusen yes. PSG no

[@RiPPeRZ]

Who cares about PSG oil money. 😂

[@Y7SH7V1]

PSG ? Have some shame.

[@AtleticoCool94]

Please don’t come to steal my club, please 🙏🚽

[@Ajaybalaji_]

They sacked jose Mourinho for this pathetic performance 🤡😭 ! Roma are truly washed they dont deserve anything

[@peacefulliberal5641]

Farmers league?? Oh please… Bundesliga giants!!!!

[@nitinpatel1039]

One season wonder, just like as Monaco and ajax before they will suffer from feeder club curse, next season big european club will take away most of their player,

[@Brien831]

Wirtz and Alonso already confirmed to be staying, no one is leaving.

[@peterhammer6915]

nitinpatel dude, what are you smokin?

[@liqiz1755]

@@peterhammer6915😂🎉

[@playthegame7445]

this clown still working for ESPN

[@a.s.313]

Another absolutely pointless espn fc video

[@rizzclasher5619]

Only madrid can beat leverkusen

[@DanielJesusObsessedFit]

nope

[@darknight-xe1ll]

Without referee they cant even beat leipzig

[@MK-qk2ee]

​@@darknight-xe1ll without a referee a football match cannot start 🤪