Alonso's Delight in Upcoming Challenges
Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso (42) surprised fans with his lineup in the 3-0 victory over Bremen. New international Robert Andrich (29) made his return to defense after a six-month absence, with Jonathan Tah (27) given a break due to his four yellow cards. Alonso also started Piero Hincapie (21) alongside Andrich, as well as leaving Edmond Tapsoba (24) on the bench. Alonso expressed satisfaction with his decision, stating, "It wasn't our typical back three."
Andrich's Versatility and Hradecky's Praise
With Andrich currently unable to dominate defensive midfield due to competition from Granit Xhaka (31) and Exequiel Palacios (25), Alonso now has an additional defensive alternative. Lukas Hradecky (34), the team's captain, praised Andrich's versatility, stating that he can play all defensive positions. Hradecky added that Andrich's performance was particularly impressive in Bayer's 3-0 win against Werder Bremen.
A Good Option for Alonso
Simon Rolfes (41), the sporting director of Borussia Monchengladbach, praised Andrich's performance, calling him a "really good player" with excellent passing abilities and skill in the open spaces. Rolfes commented that having Andrich in the defense was a smart decision, and not necessarily a test, but simply a good choice for the game against Werder Bremen.
A Training Ground for the Africa Cup?
Some speculate that Alonso's move to a six-man defense with Andrich and Hincapie was a test for the Africa Cup, with Kossounou and Tapsoba set to miss the tournament. However, Hradecky dismissed this idea, stating that the idea may have been to familiarize the team with the system, given their wide attack options.
A Bright Future for Bayer Leverkusen
Alonso expressed confidence in the squad's readiness for the title fight, noting that Andrich, Tah, Tapsoba, and Josip Stanisic are all prepared to handle the challenges ahead. This confidence in the team's depth and versatility bodes well for Bayer Leverkusen's future in the Bundesliga.
Enrichment Data
Robert Andrich and Piero Hincapie's impressive individual statistics and performances contributed to Bayer Leverkusen's experimentation with a six-man defense in the Bundesliga match against Werder Bremen. Andrich's defensive solidity, tackling and interception skills, passing accuracy, leadership qualities, and versatility were the keys to his impact in the backfield. Hincapie, on the other hand, brought tactical awareness, accuracy, and front-foot ball-winning skills to the defense. Their combined abilities allowed Alonso to adapt and innovate, ensuring Bayer Leverkusen could maintain possession, absorb pressure, and launch counter-attacks. This flexibility in their defensive set-up contributed to the team's 3-0 victory against Werder Bremen.
