It couldn’t have gone much better for Xabi Alonso as the new coach of Bayer Leverkusen: The Spaniard, who replaced Gerardo Seoane just two days ago, led his new team to an unchallenged 4-0 (2: 0) home win over Schalke 04.
After the completely messed up start to the season and falling into a relegation zone, the former world-class player apparently breathed new life into the Werkself in a short space of time. “I’m very happy, but it’s just a game. We have to work a lot, every day”, said Alonso on Sky. Moussa Diaby (38′) as well as the strong Jeremie Frimpong (41’/53′) and substitute Paulinho (90′) scored the well-deserved victory over the once again disappointing Schalke – it was only the second time this season for Leverkusen.
Just a change in the Bayer starting eleven
Alonso made only one change in the starting line-up. Mitchel Bakker started from the start, Adam Hlozek had to be on the bench for him. His colleague Frank Kramer exchanged the entire defense after the 2:3 defeat against Augsburg. Instead of Henning Matriciani, Thomas Ouwejan (both bench) and Sepp van den Berg (ankle ligament injury), Cedric Brunner, Leo Greiml and Tobias Mohr started.
At first, Kramer’s calculation seemed to work. Schalke was initially stable and didn’t allow much. The Werkself tried again and again down their right flank. But Jeremie Frimpong and Moussa Diaby needed some time there.
Alonso with full commitment on the sidelines
And Xabi Alonso? He directed, gestured and worked on the touchline – much like he used to do on the field as a world-class player. And then he was also allowed to clench his fist and give high fives to all his new employees on the bench. Because the Leverkusen approach was rewarded in the first half – first by Diaby, who used his free space in the center after a pass from Robert Andrich and took a powerful shot from a distance. Schwolow let the slightly fluttering ball pass – Diaby’s first goal of the season and something of a knot-loosener for his team.
Because less than three minutes later the ball was in the Schalke goal again, this time the Leverkusen team combined through Callum Hudson-Odoi and Diaby, who played the ball on the Frimpong running through on the right. The right-back found the gap into the goal from an acute angle – 2:0. Alonso could be satisfied.
Frimpong switches the Bayer traffic light to green
And things should get even better for the new coach and his team. Eight minutes after the break it was again the duo on the right who scored the next goal. Diaby sent the advanced Frimpong steeply, who overcame Schwolow again with a low shot. For Frimpong it was already the fourth goal of the season.
The Bayer Leverkusen players rejoice: Tabsoba and Aranguiz press Frimpong, who scored twice.
With the clear lead in the back, Alonso’s team now had an easy time – also because Schalke were not able to counter the opponent with anything useful. In the final minute, substitute Paulinho made the successful Leverkusen afternoon perfect.
“The conversion of chances was different than in the last games. We had a better allocation in space and played the spaces that Schalke gave us.”Bayer midfielder Robert Andrich analyzed the first game under his new coach.
Leverkusen initially challenged internationally
Before things get serious again for Leverkusen, they will host FC Porto on Matchday 4 of the Champions League group stage (Wednesday, October 12th, 2022 at 9:00 p.m.). The Werkself have to pass Eintracht Frankfurt on the 10th match day of the Bundesliga (Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 3:30 p.m.). Schalke welcomes TSG 1899 Hoffenheim the day before (8.30 p.m.).