Bayer Leverkusen remains on course for records and championships. Successful coach Xabi Alonso is particularly proud of his team’s mentality.
When Granit Xhaka was asked about the championship topic after a “dirty” record victory in “work pants,” he only smiled briefly. “We’re looking forward to the next game against Mainz,” said the Bayer Leverkusen leader succinctly.
As usual, coach Xabi Alonso did not allow himself to be lured after his successful anniversary: ”We are in a good situation, but we have to go step by step.” Topic checked off.
A week after the show of force against FC Bayern, the confident frontrunner once again showed himself masterfully. Although it was only enough for the Werkself to narrowly win 2-1 (1-0) against the inconvenient newcomers 1. FC Heidenheim – this time the style of the 32nd (!) game without defeat was impressive.
His players are “not only ready for a top game,” said Alonso proudly on his 500th day as Bayer coach, “but they are also here in Heidenheim to work and fight. I like that.” After the highlight against the record champions (3-0), this time they simply “put on their work pants,” said captain Lukas Hradecky: “That counts just as much as against Bayern.”
Clearer Robert Andrich praised that they had “not died beautifully” but had mastered the tricky task “seriously”. And midfield boss Xhaka also highlighted the mentality: “The team is very mature. If you want to stay at the top, you have to take dirty victories like this.”
But Bayer didn’t just have fight and team unity to offer in Heidenheim. Leverkusen also has the necessary difference players. Amine Adli prepared the lead for the busy Jeremie Frimpong (45th + 2). Then Adli scored himself after a magic pass from young star Florian Wirtz (81′). The 1:2 by Tim Kleindienst (87′) was just a cosmetic mistake.
The fact that Bayer equaled FC Bayern’s record, which had remained unbeaten 32 times across seasons from 2019 to 2020, was just a side note and “not that important” for sports director Simon Rolfes. You don’t play “not to lose, but to win,” he said almost philosophically.
And Bayer is currently doing an excellent job of winning. But euphoria? None. There is “no reason to celebrate,” said Alonso when asked about his 500-day anniversary. Rather, he remembers “the first month or two. That was an interesting process.” But also “part of the current success. We have learned a lot – and there is still a lot to do.”
His captain sees it that way too. Borussia Dortmund had a few points lead last season, said Hradecky, “and then Bayern were suddenly there.” Therefore: “We must not stop the train.”