“We will keep Bayern on their Toes”: Xabi Alonso Buoyant After Bayer Leverkusen Shock Stuttgart
In an extraordinary end to the Bundesliga weekend, comeback specialists, Bayer 04 Leverkusen scored twice in the final five minutes to defeat VfB Stuttgart 4-3 at the MHP Arena.
Ermedin Demirovic (14’), Nick Woltemade (48’) and Granit Xhaka (62’ O.G.) gave Stuttgart a 3-1 lead before goals from Piero Hincapie (67’), Angelo Stiller (89’ O.G.), and Patrik Schick (94’) turned the game on its head.
After Bayern Munich‘s surprising 1-1 draw away to strugglers Union Berlin, Leverkusen closed the gap to the Bundesliga leaders to just six points with eight games to play.
After the game Leverkusen Head Coach, Xabi Alonso said that his side are still fighting to catch Bayern Munich.
We Believe
Leverkusen travelled to Stuttgart having lost three consecutive games in all-competitions, having been knocked out of the Champions League in midweek to Bayern. Alonso was looking for a response. He found it.
“We were able to show that we can come back from a deficit.
After the 3-2, we started believing we could get back into the game. Then, after the third goal, we wanted to fight for the win. It was important for everyone, especially the players, after three defeats in a row.
To have that great feeling again after these ten days – that was important for all of us.”
Giving Everything
With just eight games remaining, it was a crucial three points in the Bundesliga title race.
Alonso said that every win will put the pressure back on Bayern.
“We want to put as much pressure on them as possible.
We know that there are eight more games in the Bundesliga. Our goal is to give everything in every Bundesliga game. On top of that, we have the DFB Pokal semifinal.
A lot can happen. It isn’t in our hands but our job is to win game after game. We will do our thing and see what Bayern Munich will do.
We just want to keep them on their toes until the end.”
A Change of Tactics
With Leverkusen struggling to breakdown Stuttgart’s defence and without Florian Wirtz – injured for several weeks, Xabi Alonso had to adapt.
Alonso opted to start Schick and brought on Victor Boniface. The Nigerian striker changed the game with an assist for the late equaliser.
Could we see Boniface and Schick play together more often?
“That’s a possibility.
We played with three strikers at a time today. Amine Adli was also on the pitch. It worked well today.”
Leverkusen head into the international break on a high, whilst Bayern Munich are reflecting on lost points against Bochum and Union Berlin.
Alonso’s side may not have control in the Bundesliga race, but they have momentum.
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