Europa League final: Why we lost 3-0 to Atalanta – Leverkusen coach, Xabi Alonso

• Alonso said the Italian side was too good for his team, saying Leverkusen could not handle many difficult situations.

Bayer Leverkusen manager, Xabi Alonso, has revealed why his team lost to Atalanta in the Europa League final on Wednesday night.

Alonso whose team has been excellent all season saw their 51-game unbeaten run end with a 3-0 defeat.

The Bundesliga champions were sunk in yesterday’s final by Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman’s hat-trick for the Italian club as they won only the second title in their history.

Reacting to the loss, Alonso said the Italian side was too good for his team, saying Leverkusen could not handle many difficult situations.

“We could not cope with many difficult situations that we were preparing because Atalanta demanded so much of you.

“One v one situations, duels, but we were not getting the ball in the right situations to take advantage. They do that so well.

“We were not able to come back and get that back. It was not meant to be. The unbeaten run has come to an end but congratulations to Atalanta, they deserve it, so nothing more to say,” Alonso told TNT Sports