We want to stay unbeaten - Alonso determined to keep Leverkusen's remarkable unbeaten run going

Xabi Alonso has set his sights on extending Bayer Leverkusen's remarkable unbeaten run after their 2-0 Europa League semi-final first leg victory over Roma took their tally to 47 matches without defeat across all competitions.

First-half strikes from Florian Wirtz and Robert Andrich secured a commanding lead for the Bundesliga side ahead of next week's second leg in Germany.

While that advantage puts them firmly in the driving seat to reach the final, manager Alonso is hungry for his history-making team to keep their incredible unbeaten streak alive.

"We want to stay unbeaten and we know every week it gets tougher,” the Spaniard stated after the win in Rome.

“Everyone wants to beat us," Alonso added according to a post by the club on their X account.

Leverkusen's latest victory saw them move to within a match of equalling Benfica's long-standing record of 48 consecutive games without losing set 59 years ago.

With key players like Nigerians Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella part of the squad, Alonso acknowledged the mounting pressure his side face to preserve their astonishing run.

Leverkusen's next opportunity to extend and equal their streak comes when they face Frankfurt in the Bundesliga before taking on Roma in the second leg on Thursday.

Avoid defeat in both games and Alonso's side will take their place as the team with the longest unbeaten run ever.