Xabi Alonso and Bayer Leverkusen have encountered nearly every aspect of soccer over the past year, with the exception of having to recover from a defeat.
As they prepare for Saturday’s match against Hoffenheim, Leverkusen is coming off a 3-2 loss to Leipzig in their last league outing. This marked the first Bundesliga defeat for Leverkusen since May 2023.
On Friday, Alonso emphasized the need to regain the concentration and focus that appeared to be missing in a match where Leverkusen registered 27 shots, yet fell victim to Leipzig’s swift and effective counterattacks.
“We must improve our control when we are not in possession,” the coach stated. “We need to maintain stability without the ball and adopt a more aggressive stance rather than being overly passive. I believe we allowed chances to arise too easily, which is a matter of both tactical and mental discipline.”
Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak last season was remarkable. Alonso’s squad frequently scored late goals to either secure a point or clinch a vital victory, making it feel almost inevitable—akin to a film director known for unexpected plot twists in their movies.
The team’s unbeaten run across all competitions came to an end at 51 matches when they lost to Atalanta in the Europa League final in May. Their unbeaten record in German competitions lasted 15 months before the defeat to Leipzig, which included the only perfect Bundesliga season in history.
Following the recent international break, Alonso and his squad have had two weeks to reflect on the loss to Leipzig before facing Hoffenheim away and preparing for a Champions League match against Feyenoord on Thursday. However, there has been limited direct interaction between Alonso and his players who were on international duty.
“It’s a matter of quick preparation and brief discussions,” he noted. “While we may not cover a lot, there are crucial areas for improvement. We’ve had sufficient time to analyze the situation and discuss how we can enhance our performance, so we aim for a more complete display this time.”
Alonso expressed his support for defender and vice-captain Jonathan Tah, who was substituted at halftime during Germany's 2-2 draw with the Netherlands on Tuesday, as he faced challenges against the Dutch forwards. Alonso praised Tah as a "top player" and noted that he returned to the club with a positive mindset following the match.
Similar to Leipzig, Hoffenheim is another team that Leverkusen managed to defeat in a dramatic fashion last season. On March 30, Hoffenheim appeared to be heading for a surprising 1-0 victory that would have sent shockwaves through European soccer. However, Robert Andrich equalized in the 88th minute, followed by Patrik Schick's goal in the 91st minute, leading Leverkusen to a 2-1 triumph. This match was yet another remarkable moment in a season filled with extraordinary achievements.