Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso expressed a feeling of bitterness after witnessing his team’s impressive unbeaten run in the Bundesliga come to an end with a 3-2 defeat against RB Leipzig. This defeat was particularly hard for Alonso, who believed that Leverkusen did not deserve to lose the game.
Under Alonso’s guidance, Leverkusen have become known for scoring crucial late goals. However, their luck ran out in this match as the referee decided against awarding a penalty to Leverkusen in the 86th minute. As a result, Leverkusen suffered their first defeat against a German opponent since May 2023, ending a remarkable 35-game unbeaten streak in the Bundesliga.
RB Leipzig managed to come back from a 2-0 deficit to secure a victory against Leverkusen. Despite Leverkusen’s dominance in terms of shots taken (27 compared to Leipzig’s 10), it was Leipzig who capitalized on their chances, especially on the counter-attack. Kevin Kampl’s added-time header and Openda’s two precise finishes turned the game in Leipzig’s favor.
Following the defeat, Xabi Alonso reflected on the performance of his team. He acknowledged that Leverkusen played well in the first half but lost control in the second half, allowing Leipzig too much space to exploit. Alonso emphasized the need for unity in defense and admitted that his team must learn from their mistakes in order to maintain their title aspirations.
Despite being the better side in the match, Leverkusen failed to convert their early chances into goals. Edmond Tapsoba and Piero Hincapié had opportunities to extend Leverkusen’s lead before the break, but their inability to capitalize on these chances proved costly as Leipzig took advantage of their own opportunities.
As Leverkusen prepare for their upcoming fixtures against Hoffenheim and Feyenoord in the Champions League, Xabi Alonso and his team are focused on improving their performance. Alonso stressed the importance of defending as a unit and working on scoring goals in training to ensure better results in future matches.
Bayer Leverkusen’s defeat against RB Leipzig was a bitter pill to swallow for Xabi Alonso and his team. Despite the disappointment, Leverkusen must use this setback as a learning opportunity to grow stronger and compete at the highest level in the Bundesliga and Champions League.
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