- Alonso displays no concern over impending bankruptcy, remaining unfazed by the term "catastrophe."
The invincibility myth hascrumbled, but Xabi Alonso remains unbothered about his superior team. "I have no reason to think we won't bounce back," said Bayer Leverkusen's coach after ending a 35-game Bundesliga unbeaten streak. However, the 2:3 loss to RB Leipzig sent out two clear messages to the rest of the Bundesliga: the title defense from last year won't be repeated, and Leipzig still has a chance at winning the title despite losing Dani Olmo. "We have to believe in ourselves because we have immense potential," declared RB Leipzig's sports director, Rouven Schröder.
The highly anticipated clash between two elite Champions League teams lived up to the hype. It was an exhilarating display of two powerful teams, with leather-coated drama surrounding Leipzig's early dismissal of the coach Marco Rose, radiant goals, and suspense until the final whistle. "This game had everything enchanting for the viewer," mentioned Schröder.
No impromptu analysis
The enterprising Alonso wished to organize the next training right away after the game. "We committed enormous errors following the 2:0 lead, and we have to learn from them," shared the 42-year-old. "Unfortunately, there's an international break coming up, and the players won't be available tomorrow," said Alonso, whose team was leading 2:0 at half-time thanks to goals from Jeremie Frimpong (39th minute) and Alejandro Grimaldo (45th), before former Leverkusen player Kevin Kampl (45+7) and Lois Openda (57th, 80th) flipped the script.
It wasn't entirely awful, Alonso thought. Bayer's CEO, Simon Rolfes, even considered their first half to be their best of the season. However, he acknowledged the mistakes. "We need to defend more decisively and improve our overall stability," said Rolfes. Furthermore, Hradecky's substitute, Matej Kovar, was unlucky in Openda's goals.
Alonso commends Tah's spirit
On a positive note, the gossip surrounding Jona Tah's transfer has finally died down. "It's great that the transfer window has closed now. We can concentrate on football," expressed Rolfes. Leverkusen's mainstay, playing his tenth season under the Bayer cross, once again proved to be amongst the team's finest.
"His attitude in the past ten days has been excellent. He's smart, understood the situation. We're really glad he's sticking with us. Jona is in a stellar phase," praised Alonso about his national defender. However, Tah couldn't prevent the defeat. Leipzig, like the previous season, proved to be a formidable opponent in tight contests. "They're a strong team that exploits any opportunities we give them," explained Tah.
RB Leipzig coach Rose could be proud of his strategy to mimic Leverkusen's system and to provide El Chadaille Bitshiabu, their young central defender, his first start. On the other hand, he was less pleased with his wild conduct in the sidelines, which earned him a yellow-red card for insubordination. The experienced 47-year-old immediately took responsibility. "That was my fault. The referee was perfectly right," admitted Rose, who was suspended from the sideline after just 30 minutes.
Despite the 2:3 loss against RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen will continue to strive for improvement, with Xabi Alonso stating, "We have to believe in ourselves because we have immense potential." In the upcoming Bundesliga, Germany, Leipzig remains a formidable contender for the title.
The exciting match between Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig saw Jona Tah, Leverkusen's mainstay, delivering an impressive performance, even though Leipzig once again proved to be a formidable opponent in tight contests during the game in Germany.
