Sept 13 (Askume) – Bayer Leverkusen’s 35-match Bundesliga unbeaten streak ended with the final game and head coach Xavi Alonso hopes the time spent with his players will be enough to help the team get back to winning ways.
After going undefeated in the league last season, the team lost its second game of the season at home to RB Leipzig and had a shortened preparation period for Saturday’s game against Hoffenheim because of the international break.
“It has been an intense preparation that has included intensive meetings and individual discussions with the team,” Xavi Alonso told reporters on Friday.
“Today is our last training session with the whole team. Of course, we don’t have much time to prepare for tomorrow, but this is our usual dynamic.
“We’ll see if this quick meeting works.”
Leverkusen needed a last-minute goal to beat Monchengladbach 3-2 but then lost 3-2 to Leipzig, but the coach does not think it was disappointing.
“We are doing many things well, but there are some things we need to improve to perform at our best,” he said.
“There’s not a lot, but there are some important things to improve. Hopefully we can have a better performance, a more complete performance.”
“It’s a matter of football and mentality. We have to improve our tactics with the ball, but also our mentality and concentration and become a little better.”
The coach says all his players are fit again from international duty and has backed Germany defender Jonathan Tah after criticism from rival managers.
After Germany’s 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in the Nations League on Tuesday, Dutch coach Ronald Koeman said Tah, who was substituted at half time, had a big problem and made too many mistakes.
“That’s his point of view. I would say Jonathan is our top player,” Alonso said.
“What he did during the international break, the international break is not a topic for me. He came here yesterday in a good mood and good spirits, so that is my main concern.”
Leverkusen are eighth with three points from two games. Hoffenheim also have three points but are 11th on goal difference.
