Xabi Alonso reacts to the ending of Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten run

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·1 September 2024

Xabi Alonso reacts to the ending of Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten run

Speaking at his press conference after Bayer Leverkusen’s 3-2 loss to RB Leipzig and the ending of their unbeaten run, head coach Xabi Alonso gave his thoughts on the performance.

On the loss, Alonso said:

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“Congratulations to Marco and RB Leipzig on the win. We’re taking a lot of positives and negatives from this game. We played well in the first half. We were happy with that and wanted to build on that in the second half.”

In a similar fashion to the game last weekend as well as the DFL Super Cup, Leverkusen threw away their lead in the second half, on Die Werkselfs performance in the second half, the Spaniard said:

“In the second half we had no control and gave Leipzig too much space. We didn’t do well in the last line. We will learn from these mistakes. It’s not good to let an opponent come back after a 2-0 lead. But it’s a process, we’re still early in the season.”

On why Leverkusen may have thrown away the lead, Alonso said:

“After the 2-0 lead we were in a good flow, but then we have to be ready to defend. We want to attack together, but we also have to defend together. We will work on the game after the international break.”

Leverkusen were the better team for much of the game, completely dominant in the first half before and after the goals from Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo but allowing Kevin Kampl to score just before halftime opened the door for Leipzig. Then in the second half, although Leverkusen continued to dominate, they were sloppy and that allowed Leipzig and Loïs Openda to not only complete the comeback but take the lead.

Die Werkself continued to trouble Peter Gulacsi but it was not enough as their 35-game unbeaten run came to an end. After the international break, Leverkusen travel to Hoffenheim.

GGFN | Jack Meenan