Robert Andrich blasts Leverkusen display: “It wasn’t enough from anyone” | OneFootball

Bayer Leverkusen’s hopes of securing Champions League football are now hanging by a thread following their damaging 3-1 defeat to VfB Stuttgart. In the aftermath of the loss, captain Robert Andrich delivered a brutally honest assessment of both the performance and the mentality within the squad.

Leverkusen were comprehensively second best in Stuttgart, and Andrich made no attempt to hide his frustration afterwards. “It wasn’t enough from anyone,” the midfielder told DAZN, before offering a broader criticism of the team’s mentality throughout the season.

“Today was emblematic of our season. As soon as things get tight and tense, we fail to stick together as a team.” The comments represented a remarkably open critique from the club captain, who clearly feels deeper issues are affecting the squad. “That’s something that really bothers me because it’s a team issue,” Andrich continued.

Despite taking the lead after just 34 seconds, Leverkusen quickly lost control of the contest and were unable to match Stuttgart’s intensity or quality for the remainder of the match. The defeat ultimately came as little surprise given the balance of play.

“We never even came close to beating Stuttgart over the 90 minutes,” Andrich admitted.

Speaking later in the mixed zone, the Germany international went even further in questioning the unity within the dressing room.

“We have a lot of personalities who tend to keep things to themselves. We don’t have enough people who stick together.”

The remarks inevitably raise questions about the atmosphere inside the Leverkusen camp. Andrich, however, was also willing to shoulder responsibility himself. “I have a lot to blame myself for,” he said.

“I’ve often stood here after games like this where we just couldn’t get into the game. The problem has to be somewhere.”

With one Bundesliga matchday remaining, Die Werkself sit sixth and now require a win against Hamburger SV next weekend, as well as defeats for Stuttgart and TSG Hoffenheim, to have any chance of snatching a Champions League place.