Granit Xhaka scored a trademark screamer for Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB-Pokal final just days after their Europa League final heartbreak.
Xabi Alonso’s side were well-beaten 3-0 by Atalanta on Wednesday night to see their incredible 51-game unbeaten run come to an end.
Leverkusen stormed the Bundesliga title and did so unbeaten, but were unable to win a European trophy as part of their treble dream.
Attention quickly turned to securing a domestic double, with German second-tier outfit Kaiserslautern their opponents at the Olympiastadion Berlin.
And they got off to the perfect start when former Arsenal midfielder Xhaka curled in an excellent effort from range in the 17th minute.
His goal comes exactly eight years to the day in which he signed for the Gunners, who he helped win two FA Cups.
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The Swiss international capitalised on a loose ball around 30 yards from goal, where he curled an excellent first-time finish into the top left corner.
It was exactly what Alonso would have been hoping for, with the Spaniard spotted jumping for joy on the sidelines.
But he was later left with his head in his hands at the end of the half after his side were reduced to ten men.
Centre-back Odilon Kossounou received his marching orders in the 44th minute for two bookable offences.
Should Leverkusen hang on for the win, it would be their frst German Cup success since 1993.
They have only won the competition on one occasion having been a losing finalist five times.
News Summary:
- Arsenal cult hero Granit Xhaka scores stunner in DFB-Pokal final to keep Bayer Leverkusen’s double dreams alive
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