Against VfL Bochum, Bayer Leverkusen will face one of only two teams they have beaten in the Bundesliga since May 2023. Xabi Alonso is prepared.
Throughout the 2023/2024 season, VfL Bochum was the last team to defeat Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.
It has now been a year and a half since VfL secured its place in the league with a 3-0 victory on the last matchday of the 2022/2023 season. Since then, a total of four different coaches have stood on the sidelines in Bochum – the fifth, Dieter Hecking, will follow in the rematch of this duel on Saturday (3:30 p.m.) at the Ruhrstadion.
Unlike the Werkself, which has since become a top team, cup winner and undefeated champion, VfL is still struggling in the relegation zone. After Thomas Letsch in 2022/2023 and Heiko Butscher in 2023/2024, Hecking is now tasked with preventing the club from being relegated to the 2nd Bundesliga in 2024/2025.
Is Alonso afraid of a coaching effect? “After the change of coach, the opponents want to change their mindset with their play. We are ready and know what to expect. They have a clear idea, but I still think that one or two things will change with the new coach,“ he said at the press conference before the game, emphasizing that there were ”no excuses“ for not playing well, even if the opponent was a ”strong and intense team.”
Bochum is very dangerous from set pieces and throw-ins, and these little things are crucial.
Xabi Alonso
An important factor for the former midfielder? “Staying focused. Bochum is very dangerous from set pieces and throw-ins, and these little things are crucial.”
Especially since Leverkusen are not in the same impressive form as last season. During the week, they suffered a 4-0 defeat at Anfield Road against Alonso’s former club, Liverpool FC. “We are motivated and have recovered well after the Champions League game. We want to deliver a good performance against Bochum – it doesn’t matter what the table looks like right now.”
His team is currently fourth in the table, as things are not going so smoothly in the Bundesliga either. The record after nine matchdays? Only four wins, one defeat (against Leipzig) and four draws.
A starting point? “Our main goal is to improve our concentration and mentality,” said Alonso, explaining: “In recent weeks, we haven’t been able to play at the highest level consistently. It’s not enough to be focused for 80 minutes of a game; you always have to give 100 percent on the pitch.”
In Bochum, the Spaniard will have to do without the injured Jeanuel Belocian, Nordi Mukiele, and Amine Adli, who has extended his contract until 2028.