The shadow of the Africa Cup leaves Alonso ice cold
If Bayer Leverkusen can be stopped this season, it will only be by sending players to the Africa Cup. That's what many of their rivals think. But coach Xabi Alonso's squad is also strong across the board. For the games before the break, the coach is putting his footballers under pressure.
The third goalkeeper played for the first time in almost three years, an 18-year-old was involved in two goals and, in the end, a 16-year-old became the youngest German in Europa League history: in sporting terms, Bayer Leverkusen's only aim at the end of the preliminary round against Molde FK was to complete the perfect group stage. But the sign of the once again furious 5:1 victory was not to be underestimated either internally or externally. Because it said: Bayer has far more than just a strong first eleven.
"It makes us strong that we have so many people in the back who are eager to play," said Robert Andrich, who is currently mostly just a substitute himself, although he became an international in the fall. Coach Xabi Alonso made nine substitutions against Molde. He handed out rewards to goalkeeper Niklas Lomb, 18-year-old Noah Mbamba and just 16-year-old Ken Izekor. Stars such as Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Victor Boniface and Jeremie Frimpong were allowed to rest for 90 minutes. Nevertheless, even in this constellation, Bayer celebrated real fun soccer, in which the Norwegian cup winners were just a sparring partner.
Lots of praise for a 16-year-old
And so it was easily possible for Izekor to make history. The youngster made his professional debut at the age of 16 years and 204 days, becoming the youngest German player ever to play in a Europa League or UEFA Cup match. The attacking gem was substituted for Edmond Tapsoba in the 77th minute, replacing a prominent predecessor. Previously, Borussia Dortmund U21 striker Youssoufa Moukoko had held the record at 17 years and 89 days. This also makes Izekor the youngest Leverkusen player ever to play in a competitive match.
"He did very well. Three or four good moves," said coach Xabi Alonso. Izekor is "dangerous, very strong, very quick." National player Robert Andrich also admitted that the 1.77-meter tall center forward "looks a bit more physically advanced". In the current season, Izekor has contributed one goal and one assist in nine games for the Werkself U19s. In September, the native of Aachen with Nigerian roots also made his debut for the U17 national team. Blessed are those who still have such options.
"I'm not crying. I'm not a victim"
And this sign of squad depth is so important because the competition - as BVB coach Edin Terzić recently bluntly revealed - has only one real hope against Leverkusen's run of 20 wins in 23 competitive matches without defeat: That Bayer will flounder when up to five stars are missing from January due to the Africa Cup. Boniface, Tapsoba, Odilon Kossounou, Amine Adli and Nathan Tella could miss the cup quarter-final against Stuttgart or important league games such as Leipzig or Bayern.
"I'm not crying. I'm not a victim," said Alonso: "We have enough players." Sporting director Simon Rolfes explained: "We have always said that we have many, many good players. The team enjoys playing soccer. No matter who comes in. Let's wait and see who ends up being nominated for the Africa Cup and how long they miss. But the ones who are there are all at a very, very good level."
However, Alonso does not want to end the year on a relaxed note after the perfect preliminary round. He immediately turned his attention to the future. "Eintracht and Bochum. We have to finish this week at full throttle and full of energy." Another two wins against Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday (17:30/DAZN) and VfL Bochum on Wednesday (20:30/Sky, both also in the ntv.de live ticker) would not only keep Bayer ahead of Bayern Munich in the table, but would also allow them to "enjoy Christmas all the more", said Alonso.
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Xabi Alonso's squad demonstrated their depth during the match against Molde FK, as they rotated players and still managed to dominate, with 16-year-old Ken Izekor making a strong impression in his Europa League debut. In the upcoming Europe League match against Eintracht Frankfurt and VfL Bochum, Bayer 04 Leverkusen's midfielder Xabi Alonso will likely rely on this strong squad, as several key players like Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong could be away due to the Africa Cup.
Source: www.ntv.de
