Xabi Alonso made a rare gamble.
Lukas Hradecky was benched. EPA/AOP
Mönchengladbach found a surprise in Bayer Leverkusen’s lineup, when he enjoyed responsibility between the posts throughout the Bundesliga season Lukas Hradecky was planted on the bench.
Today, the goal of league leader Leverkusen was guarded by a Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar.
The head coach Xabi Alonso explained the benching of the Finnish captain, which caused astonishment in Germany, with the fact that Kovar wants playing time before next week’s cup match against Stuttgart.
The Czech Republic has been Alonso’s choice this season for both the German Cup and Europa League matches.
– Lukas has played well. He will return to the finish line in Darmstadt (February 3). This was just a decision to help Matej in the next round, the Basque pilot pointed to the looming cup twist in a week and a half.
The battle between Leverkusen and Mönchengladbach was 0-0 at halftime. With a win, Alonso’s team would have a four-point lead over reigning Bayern Munich.