Before the World Cup break, Bayer 04 Leverkusen urgently need points to defuse the precarious situation. Coach Xabi Alonso’s team meets Union Berlin on Sunday.
Xabi Alonso already has one “very intense” month at Bayer Leverkusen behind them, but the upcoming week has it all again: On Sunday (3.30 p.m.) leaders Union Berlin are guests at Bayer-Kreuz, followed by the Rhenish derby at 1. FC Köln and the basement duel with VfB Stuttgart.
“Time to Think”admitted the Bayer coach, with a view to the precarious situation, only after the World Cup break, “Right now we have to focus. We need the win on Sunday.” Because Alonso’s record in Leverkusen has so far been sobering. The dreary zero number during the week in the group final of the premier class against FC Bruges was enough for the consolation prize Europe thanks to Schützenhilfe league – but under the world champion of 2010 only a three-pointer was achieved in seven games. The highly talented Werkself have been without a win for six competitive games.
Above all, the staid and harmless offensive game causes serious concerns. In the last two games, the table-16 succeeded. (9 points) no goal, top striker Patrik Schick has two goals after eleven league appearances.
No comeback from Florian Wirtz yet
According to Alonso, the duel with the leader will come for hopeful Florian Wirtz “still too early”. The national player suffered a cruciate ligament rupture in March and completed parts of team training again at the end of October. According to Alonso, it is still unclear whether Karim Bellarabi and Charles Aranguiz could be available again. “We have one more training session, then the decision will be made”said Alonso on Friday.
Bayer offensive should get better
“We have to fight, run, defend, but also get better on offense”Alonso demanded, the Spaniard wants a balance “Control and a bit of chaos when attacking” Find. His midfield engine Robert Andrich analyzed before the duel with his former club: “Playing accurately in the rooms is something we often lack in order to become dangerous.”
Nevertheless, Leverkusen’s sporting director Simon Rolfes insisted on a hint of an upward trend after the Bruges draw and appealed to the team: “It’s still a tough road, but we have to get out of it like this, united as a team, also with a lot of defensive stability.”
It will also need it against the high-flyers from Union. “They have a good team spirit, are strong in one-on-one combat and make it difficult for any opponent”, praised Alonso. He didn’t want to speak of the Köpenicker master’s degree yet, but that’s what it was “still too early”. But: “They fight very well every game. We are preparing for an intense duel”he said.
