Xabi Alonso, Bayer Leverkusen coach, speaking to broadcaster RTL: “It wasn’t our day, we have to accept that. We must congratulate Atalanta, they deserved to win. We didn’t manage to put our game together, they were better in everything. Atalanta’s intensity was stronger. We couldn’t get the pass into the opposing final third in good conditions. The whole team gave everything today, but it wasn’t enough, we have to accept that. We must use this disappointment for our final on Saturday in the German Cup.”
Robert Andrich, Bayer Leverkusen defender, speaking to broadcaster RTL: “It’s extremely annoying and we had certainly hoped to do better. But we must also be honest and say that it is deserved this evening, we must congratulate Atalanta, because this evening they deserved to win more than us. Atalanta did what they do all the time, they were strong in the duels. We had strong phases, but we were unable to convert our chances. But when you concede three goals and don’t score one, you deserve to lose. Currently, the disappointment is stronger than the anticipation of the German Cup final in Berlin on Saturday. We have it in the back of our minds, but it’s really annoying and disappointing.”