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• Wirtz will stay at Leverkusen amid transfer interest, Rolfes insists

  Florian Wirtz will stay at Bayer Leverkusen next season despite interest from Europe's elite clubs, says Die Werkself's managing director Simon Rolfes.

  Wirtz has been in irresistible form throughout Xabi Alonso's first full season at the BayArena, which could yet end with an unbeaten treble.

  Leverkusen won 28 of their 34 games as they became the first team to go unbeaten through a Bundesliga campaign, and they face a pair of finals this week – against Atalanta in the Europa League and Kaiserslautern in the DFB-Pokal.

  Wirtz was named Bundesliga Player of the Year earlier this week, having scored 11 goals and provided 11 assists throughout the campaign. He has also been involved in eight goals (four goals, four assists) and created 28 chances from open play in the Europa League this term.

  That form has reportedly put the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City and Manchester United on alert, but Leverkusen are not entertaining a sale.

  "He will stay. His father and agent said it before. He has a contract here and he's really happy," Rolfes told Sky Sports.

  "This is the right place for him to develop as a player and person. His future is bright, that's for sure. He is such a good player and shows a great will to win and to work. 

  "It's not normally the attribute of a number 10 but he combines talent with the work rate of a six or a defensive player along with producing special magic moments."

  When Bayern Munich last failed to win the Bundesliga title in 2012, they responded by raiding rivals Borussia Dortmund for the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Mario Gotze and Mats Hummels over the next few years.

  Asked if Leverkusen had any concerns about that happening to them, Rolfes said: "For sure 10, 15 or 20 years ago that was a normal thing but things are changing. The European environment has changed a lot. 

  "It's an international market now with the Premier League, and clubs in Spain, Italy and France as well."

  Bayern were, alongside Liverpool, unsuccessful in attempting to lure Alonso away from Westphalia, and Rolfes says he was always convinced the Spaniard would stay.

  "Maybe that was a little more special but I'm always convinced you have to concentrate on your strengths," he said. 

  "I was convinced we could offer a lot to him and our players with other interest in them. That's why I was always calm."

   

• 'Maybe we can change that' - De Roon believes Atalanta can end Leverkusen unbeaten run

  Atalanta captain Marten de Roon believes they have what it takes to end Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten season in the Europa League final.

  De Roon will not be available for La Dea in Dublin on Wednesday due to injury but has joined up with the squad to offer his support.

  Atalanta have had a memorable campaign, reaching their first European final and qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

  Leverkusen, meanwhile, claimed their first-ever Bundesliga title without losing a single game and are aiming to complete a treble.

  Despite coming up against a tough opponent, De Roon is confident that his side will be able to end their 61-year drought without a major trophy.

  "Every team is beatable. At the moment, [Leverkusen] seem unbeatable, but maybe we are the ones who can change that," he said in the pre-match press conference.

  "We have to believe in our philosophy, play attacking football and try to beat them. You don't win a trophy if you don't beat the best.

  "We have had a great campaign, and we fully deserve to be here. Both sides deserve to be playing this final. Let's see who will manage to lift the trophy.

  Atalanta narrowly missed out in the Coppa Italia final to Juventus earlier this month, and Gian Piero Gasperini is now preparing to manage his first-ever European final.

  The Italian praised Leverkusen but stressed the belief he has in his own team after an impressive campaign.

  He said: "We are aware that we are facing a great team. We know that they are undefeated, and we know that they have had an amazing season.

  "Our journey, however, was also very good as we beat very strong teams to reach the final, and we also have belief.

  "Leverkusen are a complete team; extremely organised. They are versatile, they can defend and recover the ball well.

  "The results they have achieved this season are not an accident. Certainly, small details can make the difference in a final. We have to respect them and try to adapt quickly to the opponents we are facing."

• Alonso: Self-confidence is driving Leverkusen forward

  Xabi Alonso says Bayer Leverkusen are driven by self-confidence in their ability to win games ahead of the Europa League final.

  Leverkusen are chasing the second trophy in a potential treble against Atalanta in Dublin on Wednesday, with the DFB-Pokal final against Kaiserslautern to follow on Saturday.

  The Bundesliga champions became the first German team to go unbeaten on their way to the title and are currently on a 51-match run without defeat in all competitions.

  Alonso is taking charge of his first European final as a manager, but he believes his team will draw on the experience they have already gained this season.

  "Our self-confidence keeps driving us on. We know that we can produce goals until the final minute," he said in his pre-match press conference. "That's a huge development that the team has made this season.

  "From the start of the campaign, we believed in our brand of football and that's right at the heart of this successful run.

  "We'll prepare like we did for all the games before. We haven't lost in 51 games, so my boys know how to adapt to different situations. That also applies to the final.

  "What matters above all tomorrow is mentality. We have a game plan, but the players still have that wonderful atmosphere from the title celebrations on Saturday, and we want to tap into that."

  Alonso is the youngest coach to manage a men’s European final since Roberto Di Matteo oversaw Chelsea’s Champions League victory in 2012.

  He will also become just the fourth person to play in and manage a major European final this century after also playing in the 2005 and 2007 Champions League finals with Liverpool.

  Reflecting on his time at Leverkusen, Alonso said: "I was so young in this coach career, so when I was offered the Leverkusen job, so it was 'let's go, let's see what happens'.

  "In one year and a half, so much has happened; it has been a great experience, and it has only been a year and a half, but we have made so many right decisions.

  "I think we have great chemistry.  The mentality we have shown throughout the year has been fantastic. I am really enjoying it."