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PREVIEW
A decade after he last played under José Mourinho at Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso takes on his old boss as a coach.
A win over Mourinho’s Roma in their Europa League semifinal first leg in Italy Thursday would further boost Alonso’s growing reputation following a remarkable turnaround in Bayer Leverkusen’s fortunes this season.
Leverkusen hasn’t got this far in Europe since losing the 2002 Champions League final to a Madrid side led by Zinedine Zidane. That’s one of several near misses that earned the club its “Neverkusen” nickname in Germany during the 30 years since its last trophy.
A two-time Champions League winner as player, Alonso played for Mourinho at Madrid from 2010 through 2013, winning the La Liga and cup.
Alonso later recalled how he was instantly convinced by Mourinho’s ability when the Portuguese coach took over at Madrid.
When and where will Roma vs Leverkusen be played?
The Europa League semifinal first leg Roma vs Leverkusen will be played at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy. It is scheduled for a 12:30 am IST kick-off on May 12.
Where can I watch Roma vs Leverkusen?
Roma vs Leverkusen can be watched on Sony Sports network.
When can I live stream Roma vs Leverkusen?
The Europa League semifinal fixture Roma vs Leverkusen can be live streamed on Sony LIV.
(Note: All the above streaming details are for viewers in India only)
“I remember the first meeting with Mourinho. He came from Inter (Milan), we came from the World Cup that we won in South Africa (with Spain), and we met in Los Angeles. The first meeting, five minutes, you already know why he’s there and why he’s so good,” Alonso said in a 2016 interview with British broadcaster Sky Sports.
Mourinho tipped Alonso as a potential coach of the future in a 2019 interview to promote the Top Eleven video game.
“His father was a manager, so he grew up similar to me. He was born with a father-player, he grew up with a father-manager, then he became a player, of course much better than I was,” Mourinho said, highlighting Alonso’s experience playing for coaches like Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and Rafa Benítez.
“So, I think if you put all this together, Xabi has the conditions to be a very good coach.”
Alonso took over in October with Leverkusen in the relegation zone and has now hauled it up to sixth in Germany. Previous coach Gerardo Seoane had qualified the club for the Champions League the season before, but results then slumped.
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