Neuer Praises Xabi Alonso’s Influence on Unbeaten Leverkusen

Bayern Munich‘s captain, Manuel Neuer, recently praised the impact of his former teammate, Xabi Alonso, on Bayer Leverkusen, ahead of their clash in the Bundesliga on Saturday. Currently sitting in second place, two points behind Alonso’s unbeaten Leverkusen, Neuer highlighted the resemblance between the team’s playing style and that of the retired midfielder.

According to Neuer, Leverkusen mirrors the way Alonso used to play when he was a player. Describing their style as a “good passing game” with a focus on possession, Neuer acknowledged that Alonso has instilled this ethos into his team. The former Spanish international was known for his love of the ball on the field, and Neuer believes Leverkusen now shares that same characteristic.

Leverkusen boasts an impressive record this season, going undefeated in all competitions. With 25 wins and four draws out of 29 matches, the team’s success can be attributed to Alonso’s influence. Neuer, who played alongside Alonso for three years at Bayern Munich, praised his former teammate’s impact on Leverkusen.

Neuer expressed that Alonso took over the team during a challenging period but immediately showed that their trajectory would be a positive one. The connection between Alonso and Leverkusen was evident from the start, resulting in a positive effect on the players. Neuer emphasized that this strong synergy has transformed the team’s performance.

The upcoming match between Leverkusen and Bayern holds significant importance for both sides. A victory for Leverkusen would solidify their position at the top of the table with a five-point lead and only 13 games left to play. Meanwhile, Bayern aims to reclaim their familiar position as champions, having won the Bundesliga title for the past 11 consecutive years.

Among the current Bayern squad, only Neuer and Thomas Müller have finished a season without winning the league title. Neuer acknowledged the motivation that comes from past success and the desire to avoid the disappointment of not being crowned champions. He emphasizes that this determination drives him to maintain the level of excellence Bayern is known for.