By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Xabi Alonso's hidden passion for dance came to light once again on Tuesday night, as the usually composed Bayer Leverkusen coach celebrated a dramatic victory with his signature moves. The 43-year-old Spaniard, known for his disciplined demeanor, transformed the sideline into a stage, blending Flamenco with freestyle foxtrot in a moment of pure elation.
The cause for celebration was Nordi Mukiele's last-minute winner in Leverkusen's 1-0 triumph over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League. The victory marked a significant milestone: Inter's first conceded goal of the campaign and Leverkusen's sixth consecutive win in the competition.
"Special moments bring out emotions," Alonso said, reflecting on his exuberance.
As a former midfield maestro for Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, Alonso is no stranger to success. But as a coach, his ascent has been nothing short of remarkable. In 2024, he led Leverkusen to their first-ever German Bundesliga title, along with victories in the German Cup and Supercup. His accolades saw him named 2024 Coach of the Year, despite a narrow defeat in the UEFA Europa League final.
Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah acknowledged the team's progress. "We're in a very promising position to make it into the last eight," he said. A win against Atletico Madrid or Slavia Prague in January would secure their place in the Champions League quarterfinals.
Under Alonso's leadership, Leverkusen has suffered just three defeats since the start of the 2023/24 season. The Spaniard attributes their success to growth on all fronts. "The team and the club have developed," he said with pride.
However, speculation is swirling that this may be Alonso's final season with Leverkusen. Reports suggest that Real Madrid is eyeing him as a successor to Carlo Ancelotti, who is expected to leave next summer. If Alonso makes the move, prodigy Florian Wirtz is rumored to follow him to the Spanish capital.
For now, Alonso remains focused on the present, with sights set on adding another trophy to Leverkusen's cabinet - whether by defending their Bundesliga title or claiming the German Cup. Regardless of what the future holds, one thing is certain: Alonso has cemented his legacy in Leverkusen, not just as a trendsetting coach but as a man unafraid to dance through life's biggest moments. ■
