Champions League
Premier class debut: Alonso is reminiscent of Pep
Makes his coaching debut in the premier class: Leverkusen’s new coach Xabi Alonso. photo
© Marius Becker/dpa
Schalke was not yet a benchmark, only now is Leverkusen’s new star coach really challenged. Three points are also needed against Porto in the Champions League. However, two key players are missing.
Xabi Alonso sounded a lot like one of his greatest teachers. In Pep Guardiola style, Bayer Leverkusen’s new football coach spoke about the challenges of his Champions League debut as a coach. “We need a top, top performance,” said the Basque before the game on Wednesday (9 p.m. / DAZN) against FC Porto.
In the European premier class, where the new Bundesliga star coach once shone as a player among coach greats such as Guardiola, Rafa Benitez, Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho, the 40-year-old is once again in the limelight. Alonso also knows, as successful as his debut as Bayer coach on Saturday with a 4-0 win in the Bundesliga, that FC Schalke 04 was not yet a benchmark for the crisis team from Leverkusen. Only now is Alonso really challenged. “It’s a very important game for us,” said Alonso.
Rolfes: “Our goal is still the knockout phase”
It wasn’t just an empty phrase. After three games, Bayer is tied on three points with Porto and the next opponents Atlético Madrid behind the previously sovereign Club Brugge (9). Despite the disastrous start to the season, which cost Alonso’s predecessor Gerardo Seoane his job last week after the 2-0 loss in Porto, the Werkself are sticking to their ambitions. “Our goal is still the knockout phase,” said sporting director Simon Rolfes unequivocally. “We need the three points for that,” said Alonso. Because of the direct comparison, a better win than a 2-0 would be even better.
With many one-on-one talks since taking office last Thursday, Alonso has tried to improve the mood in the team and the confidence of the players. “We talked a lot with the new coach about what we need to do better. And we played much more compactly and stood higher against Schalke,” reported defender Jonathan Tah. But the 26-year-old also knows that the game against Schalke, who are currently hardly suitable for the Bundesliga, was only of limited significance: “We did quite well, but now we have a tougher game ahead of us.”
Andrich and Frimpong blocked
In addition to the probation at the highest European level, Alonso also has to solve the yellow card suspensions of key players Robert Andrich and Jeremie Frimpong. Above all, the offensively strong Frimpong is actually irreplaceable. “Of course we have an idea. The players know which ones,” said Alonso simply and was just as mysterious as his former coach Mourinho.
For Alonso, it is now also a matter of confirming the high advance praise. His old teacher Guardiola once prophesied that he had the potential to become a great coach. His still young career as a coach has only led him to the second team of his home club Real Sociedad San Sebastian. “His work was brilliant,” said the Basques as they left.
Alonso seems highly motivated in his first days in the Rhineland. Committed and full of gestures, he directs his players on the sidelines and in training. “Of course there’s a fresh breeze coming in,” said Tah. The Seoane successor also seems to be breaking up some crusts tactically and in terms of personnel. Even the recently isolated Paulinho is a competitive part of the squad again and scored straight away against Schalke on Saturday. “I also feel like everyone is ready,” said Tah. “I have a very, very good feeling.”
The expected lineups
Bayer Leverkusen – FC Porto (Wednesday, 9 p.m. / DAZN)
Bayer Leverkusen: Hradecky – Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie – Amiri, Aranguiz, Demirbay, Bakker – Diaby, Schick, Hudson-Odoi
FC Porto: Diogo Costa – Conceicao, Cardoso, Carmo, Wendell – Uribe, Eustaquio – Otavio, Pepe – Taremi, Evanilson
Referee: István Kovács (Romania)