Xabi Alonso primed for Dublin date with destiny

Xabi Alonso expects his relentless Bayer Leverkusen team's high standards to win the Europa League final as the hunger for success has propelled them to the brink of a remarkable invincible season.

The former Spain international, who has overseen 51 matches without defeat, is two wins away from an incredible undefeated treble-winning campaign.

Having already wrapped up the club’s first Bundesliga title in their history, the ex-Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid midfielder has "a good feeling it is not going to be different" against Atalanta in Dublin.

"We have been preparing for this moment through all the year, it is not just a two-day job," said Alonso.

"Tomorrow I have a good feeling it is not going to be different. We respect Atalanta but we have confidence in our game and our mentality is not going to change.

"Luckily I have a great team, they are ready and well prepared for tomorrow and go into the game with the right mindset.

"This year we have played 51 games, we have talked so much it is great the players have an understanding of different situations of preparation.

"We’ve had a lot of success thus far also. We don’t want to stop."

Upon his arrival in Ireland, Alonso also reflected on spending time in Co. Meath as a youngster, an experience remembers fondly.

"I came here at 14 to Kells," he said. "I enjoyed my summer here so it's always great to come back to Dublin. I feel that connection since then and in my Liverpool years as well, the connection with Ireland is really strong.

"It's great the be here, the stadium is fantastic and for our fans, for sure they will enjoy the whole day, the pre-match, and the game is going to be a great atmosphere."

In Alonso’s first season in charge Leverkusen were knocked out by Roma