Bayer Leverkusen’s coach Xabi Alonso with his extended arm on the pitch, the Swiss national player Granit Xhaka.
Those: imago
Granit Xhaka caused loud laughter in the basement of the BayArena after his Leverkusen team’s recent European Cup win against West Ham United. The Swiss record national player was asked whether the Bayer players would watch the games between their opponents from Munich and Stuttgart together on Saturday. And his honest and mischievous answer was: “If it has to be.”
Relax instead of watching TV together
In any case, Xhaka wasn’t really keen on watching TV together – and that bonded him with his coach. “No, no, no,” said Xabi Alonso, almost frightened at the thought of such an appointment in front of the TV. After all, it’s like this: “We have to recover.”
Bayer on the verge of their first championship title
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Leverkusen won 2-0 against West Ham in the Europa League. The team shows well-known qualities – which should now lead to the championship title against Bremen on Sunday.
Andreas Morbach, Leverkusen
Relax for the game against Bremen early on Sunday evening, when the Werkself can become German champions for the first time with a win in front of their own crowd. Led by a bank boss who had a world career as a footballer, but was still a novice when he started his Rhenish adventure as a coach of professional teams and had no corresponding job to show for it.
Xabi Alonsos Credo: Kontrolle
There can be no question of the bearded Basque being adventurous. When Gladbach’s then sports director Max Eberl knocked on Alonso’s door in 2021, who was in charge of Real Sociedad San Sebastian’s reserves at the time, he refused. Because he felt he was too inexperienced as a coach to go abroad.
Bayer Leverkusen can secure the title early this weekend. The big championship party should take place at the end of the season. Sports Managing Director Simon Rolfes with Rudi Cerne.04/12/2024 | 4:07 minIn October 2022, his personal level of maturity seemed sufficient to him: Alonso took over Bayer Leverkusen as a deeply insecure second-to-last in the table, and immediately during his introduction he revealed his credo when working as a coach: to have control over the opponent and therefore also over the game .
Like a horde of unleashed chess players
And that’s exactly what it looks like 18 months later: Alonso’s ensemble is sweeping through the season undefeated like a horde of unleashed chess players. Everyone in the team knows exactly what they have to do and when.
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Even extensive castling, which the 42-year-old carries out consistently given his constant use in the league, cup and Europa League, does not affect Leverkusen’s dizzying flow of play.
Once world champion, twice European champion – and completely grounded
The fact that he resisted the advertising from Munich and Liverpool and assured the factory club that he would stay for at least another year crowned the current feeling of happiness surrounding the Bayer Cross at Easter.
Everyone feels good, everyone loves the coach. Since he’s been here, he’s changed Leverkusen.
Jeremie Frimpong
That’s what the nimble right-back says about a man who became world champion and twice European champion with Spain, won the Champions League with Liverpool and Real Madrid – and who still remained completely grounded.
Passionate will to win
Respect, humility, not taking anything for granted – these virtues appear again and again in Señor Alonso’s statements.
With empathy, great professional competence, a lot of hard work and a passionate will to win, he led Bayer’s footballers to within a few centimeters of winning the championship trophy. All they have to do now is take action against Bremen.
Andrich and Xhaka rave about Alonso’s aura
“He is sometimes a bit shy in his external appearance,” says national player Robert Andrich about Xabi Alonso.
But you notice he’s doing something to you.
Robert Andrich
This aura has not gone unnoticed by Granit Xhaka, who, like Alonso, was once at home in the six position. That’s why it’s completely clear to the Basel native: “When you have a personality like him in front of you, who has won everything, you just have to step on the gas – for him.”