Perhaps it is written: Xabi Alonso He returns this Tuesday to Anfield, which was his home, as a player, between 2004 and 2009, for five memorable seasons, before signing for real Madrid. Back in front of Bayer Leverkusenn, as champion coach of the Bundesliga (the first for the BayArena club) and the German Cup.
The draw for the new Champions League determined that Xabi Alonso will face this Tuesday the Liverpool, for whose bench he played this summer, when that legend called Jurgen Klopp. But Xabi Alonso He prefers to stay at Leverkusen and now Arne Slott who was replaced Klopp and with the head of the Premier Liverpool.
And yes, 20 years after he signed for Liverpoolthe Champions League reunited the Basque coach with the ‘red’ team, but this time as rivals. And, with so many memories, how can we forget May 25, 2005 in Istanbul, where the Anfield team, led by Rafael Benitez was declared European champion after his legendary comeback against Milan and with Xabi Alonso among the great protagonists.
It is part of the records of European football: at the Ataturk stadium in Istanbul, the Milanin the direction of Carlo Ancelotti, won 3-0 in Liverpool When the break of the Champions League final came with a goal from Paolo Maldini and a double from Hernán Crespo. It was then said that some Milan players celebrated the victory early in the locker room.
This is history: in the second part the Liverpool, andThe old ‘red’ spirit was reborn and the score was leveled. They scored Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer and definitely Xabi Alonso. 3-3 and then the sa Rafael Benitez They won on penalties with the goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek of the hero, stopping the launch of Andrea Pirlo and Andrei Shevchenko.
In 2006-07, however, Milan took revenge and beat Liverpool (also included Xabi Alonso in their ranks) in the final held at the Athens Olympic Stadium on May 23, 2007 by 2-1. both have Ancelotti and Benitez in their banks. The seventh Champions League and so far the last winner of the historic red and black team. It should be noted that the Milan He has the most number of winners after 3 pm real Madrid. He Liverpool It has 6 of its showcases, the last one in 2018-19.
But, of course, the stage of Xabi Alonso At Anfield it was more than the ‘miracle of Istanbul’. Many memories. And, at the level of titles, also an FA Cup, a European Super Cup and a Community Shield. This Tuesday, the current coach of Bayer Leverkusen will listen to ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ again. And, even if he came as an opponent, he was probably excited.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
