Having qualified for the Europa League knockout stages, Xabi Alonso and Bayer Leverkusen can start to concentrate on their Bundesliga issues. That is until the World Cup break in a few weeks of course.
For Alonso, it’s been somewhat of a baptism of fire since his arrival not long ago. B04 are currently sitting in 16th and two points off safety. With just one win in their previous five Bundesliga matches, a game against league toppers Union Berlin is the last thing they want.
Because of this, Alonso is demanding more from the likes of Chelsea loanee, Callum Hudson-Odoi. The Spanish coach explained: “We know how Callum can play this position between the lines very well. He has a good first contact and can attack the last line, be aggressive”… “but that, what happens after that is the most important thing. We have to work on that.”
He continued: “Sometimes we have to take a little more risk when we’re in the generic half and last third, but we also need control. Union have very fast strikers. Without control, it can be dangerous.”
GGFN | Jamie Allen
