Bayer coach Alonso self-critical after Qarabağ game: “It was my mistake”

Undefeated streak continues against Qarabağ

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Xabi Alonso was self-critical after the last-minute draw against Qarabağ Ağdam – he just didn’t want to elaborate. “We didn’t have good control in the first half today and didn’t get into the final third well,” said the Bayer Leverkusen coach after the 2-2 (0-2) draw in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16 against an opponent, whose squad value is just under 15 million euros: “That was my mistake. I know why this happened. And we’re trying to improve that for the future.” The Spaniard fended off the idea of ​​asking what exactly his mistake was with a charming smile: “No, no, that stays between us.”

At first glance, it was too much rotation in his team, which has a squad value of 567 million euros, with eight changes compared to the 2-0 win at 1. FC Köln. But above all the decision to leave the two drivers Granit Xhaka and Florian Wirtz on the bench at the same time. When both came in the 58th minute when the score was 0-2, the game turned around. Wirtz scored the next goal with the Bundesliga leaders’ 100th competitive goal this season (70th).

Longest undefeated streak since 2000: Leverkusen in 10th place

13. FC Bayern | December 2019 to September 2020 | 32 games undefeated

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11. FC Porto | October 2003 to March 2004 | 33 games undefeated

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11. Sporting CP | November 2001 to August 2002 | 33 games undefeated

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10. Bayer Leverkusen | August 2023 – ? | 35 games undefeated

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8. FC Porto | March 2010 to December 2010 | 36 games undefeated

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8. PSG | March 2013 to December 2013 | 36 games undefeated

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5. PSV Eindhoven | March 2009 to January 2010 | 39 games undefeated

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5. FC Barcelona | October 2015 to March 2016 | 39 games undefeated

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5. Inter Milan | October 2006 to April 2007 | 39 games undefeated

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3. Real Madrid | April 2016 to January 2017 | 40 games undefeated

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3. Inter Milan | May 2004 to February 2005 | 40 games undefeated

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2. Celtic FC | November 2016 to August 2017 | 42 games undefeated

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1. Juventus Turin | May 2011 to May 2012 | 43 games undefeated

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“I don’t know whether that was a mistake,” said Alonso: “Based on the result, you can of course say it was. But we play in three competitions, so we can’t always play with the same team.” Alonso’s self-criticism is surprising because he has often chosen risky formations when balancing in the three competitions this season – and has always been right so far .

But despite Leverkusen’s worst half of the season, the unbeaten streak held, but that wasn’t what the coach was interested in: “I’m not obsessed with it. It can happen at some point. But if it happens, I won’t be worried.” But with 0-2 at halftime, there was more at stake. “It wasn’t an easy moment,” admitted the former world and European champion: “It wasn’t a Bundesliga game, but a knockout game. We had to be careful that we didn’t get 0-3 or a fourth and thus lose the whole round of the game.” On the way to the first championship, VfL Wolfsburg is waiting on Sunday – Hans Sarpei (47), who played for Bayer and the Wolves, bet on a home win for the table leader in the TM betting round. Submit your tips now!

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