Neuer Commends Leverkusen’s Playing Style Under Alonso
Bayern Munich captain, Manuel Neuer, aged 37, has lauded the influence of former teammate Xabi Alonso, aged 42, on Bayer Leverkusen’s performance, stating that the team reflects Alonso’s own style. This praise comes ahead of the anticipated clash between the two teams on Saturday.
Alonso’s Influence on Leverkusen’s Playing Style
“It’s like how Xabi played when he was a player,” remarked Neuer in an interview with the Bundesliga website. “He gained insight into a good passing game, playing with a lot of possession, and he passed this onto his team. He’s a player who really enjoyed having the ball and his team have this character, where they want to have the ball and not chase it,” added the goalkeeper.
Leverkusen, under Alonso’s guidance, remains undefeated this season in all competitions, securing victories in 25 matches and drawing in four out of 29 played.
Transformation of Bayer Leverkusen
Reflecting on Alonso’s impact, Neuer, who shared the field with the midfielder for three years in Munich, emphasized the transformation witnessed at Leverkusen. “He took over the team in a very difficult moment and still showed straight away that things were only going to go in one direction,” Neuer expressed. “You noticed immediately that Xabi Alonso and Bayer Leverkusen are just a good fit for each other and that has an effect on players.”
Anticipated Outcome and Motivation
A victory for Leverkusen in the upcoming clash would propel Alonso’s side five points clear at the top of the table, with 13 games remaining. Despite Bayern’s remarkable track record of 11 consecutive Bundesliga titles, Neuer, along with veteran Thomas Mueller, is keen to maintain motivation and avoid complacency. “We have known success and we need to keep this motivation going in order to avoid the feeling of not being champions,” Neuer asserted. “That feeling is deeply present in me and I don’t want to experience it again.”
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