October 04, (THEWILL) – juBayer Leverkusen will aim to head into the upcoming international break on a positive note, as they prepare to face promoted side, Holstein Kiel, this Saturday. The team, led by manager Xabi Alonso, is coming off an impressive UEFA Champions League victory over AC Milan earlier this week.
Last week, Leverkusen played out a 1-1 draw against reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. However, their European triumph has given the squad a much-needed boost ahead of the clash with Kiel. Alonso expressed his desire to see his team continue their improved defensive displays from the Milan game.
“If we win, then we will have had a good phase (until the international break),” Alonso stated during his pre-match press conference on Friday. “Then we can prepare for the next block of matches. It was important that we are defending a bit better than we had been last month.”
Leverkusen, who claimed a historic domestic league and cup double last season without a single defeat, currently occupy fourth place in the Bundesliga table with 10 points from five matches. They sit three points behind the league leaders, Bayern Munich.
Alonso believes his team will be able to adjust seamlessly to the challenge posed by the newly-promoted Kiel side, despite their recent high-profile encounters. “Every league match is tough, and we have learned that this season already”, he said. “We expect the same tomorrow. They (visitors Kiel) only have a point, but deserve a bit more than what they have at the moment.”
With his 100th game in charge of the club on the horizon, the 42-year-old is confident that his team will be fully prepared and motivated to secure all three points on Saturday. “I expect to see my team to be mature and intelligent. We have to show that we are fully prepared. My team plays with the same motivation in every game, so I have no reason to doubt them and we will hopefully show it tomorrow.”
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
