Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen are flying high on confidence as they are set to face defending champions Bayern Munich, who themselves are struggling with injury issues all around the squad.
Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has recently come out to the media in the recent pre-match conference before the anticipated clash on Saturday evening, though his words have surprised the fans all around the world amidst speculations over a managerial role at Liverpool.
Alonso calls for a top game against undermanned Bayern
Former Real Madrid youth team coach Xabi Alonso came out to the media in a recent pre-match interview before his side’s all-important match against rivals and second-placed Bayern. Bayer Leverkusen are the league leaders but are just 2 points ahead of Tuchel’s Bayern Munich.
In the pre-match conference, when the Spaniard, who also won the World Cup with his country as a player, was asked about his team’s chances and performance against the rival, he modestly replied that his team has to be on their top game if they want to win against the Bayern side, which is going through an injury crisis currently and is already missing key players from starting 11.
“To beat Bayern we need a top, top game from us, almost perfect. It would be excellent to celebrate after the game, but we’re not there yet.”
“A big game is always special, that mood is there. It’s nice that we have the opportunity tomorrow to experience that top atmosphere.”
Xabi Alonso also emphasized the importance of defending as a group rather than individuals because of the firepower Bayern has up top with Harry Kane already scoring a plethora of goals in his first season at Bayern.
“With Harry Kane, you can see his numbers, he’s a top, top striker… but defensively we need to think collectively, not as individuals. That’s our idea.”
As for Bayern Munich, Tuchel is probably going to miss Serge Gnabry, Kingsley Coman, Konrad Laimer, third-choice goalie Daniel Peretz, and recently injured Alphonso Davies, although the likes of Upamecano, Kimmich, and Neuer are just coming from an injury layoff.
It would be an interesting clash to watch out for in the Bundesliga, as this single game, just those 90 minutes, can decide the flow of the outcome of the whole season.
Xabi Alonso responds to Liverpool speculations
Former Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich player Xabi Alonso has recently been on the shortlist for many clubs including Barcelona and Liverpool, as an option for a managerial role after the current season.
Recently, reports came out speculating that Barcelona has also joined the race to land the current Bayer Leverkusen manager for the upcoming seasons but it seems unlikely that the Spaniard would join the club rival as he played for Real Madrid during his career.
But what seems likely is the Liverpool managerial role for him. With recent reports coming out expressing that Liverpool has made moves on the manager, Xabi Alonso recently clarified in an interview that he is fully focused on his job at Bayer and hopes to win the Bundesliga with the team this season.
But this doesn’t end here. An interesting statement came out in the media by none other than former Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who said that he knows Alonso very well and is quite certain that Xabi Alonso will take up the Liverpool manager job after the end of the current season. Speaking to German television, the former player said:
“I know him, and I am sure his dream is to coach Liverpool. I am sure he will leave Leverkusen in the summer.”
This statement came after the reveal of a very old video, nearly 6 years old, in which Xabi Alonso accepted that sometime in his future managerial career, he would like to work as a Liverpool manager and hear the support of the crowds behind him from the stands, as he has a very deep connection with the club of his life.
The right time would certainly be now for the former World Cup and Champions League winner, as Liverpool is in dire need of a manager for the next season with not many good options available.
Do you think Xabi Alonso will eventually become the manager of Liverpool and is he the right choice? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
