Bundesliga 2024-25: Leverkusen pays price for soft defending in Bremen draw, says coach Alonso
Werder twice came from a goal down to snatch a point and leave Leverkusen with a third draw in its last four league games.
Published : Oct 27, 2024 08:57 IST , Bremen - 1 MIN READ
Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso reacts after Werder Bremen’s Marvin Ducksch scores. | Photo Credit: REUTERS
Bayer Leverkusen’s sloppy performance in its 2-2 draw at Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga on Saturday, which included conceding a 90th-minute equaliser, was down to the German champions’ weak defending, coach Xabi Alonso said.
Werder twice came from a goal down to snatch a point and leave Leverkusen with a third draw in its last four league games.
“The fact that Werder could come back was down to both sides,” Alonso said. “We were too soft in defending and they used their chances.
“We can and must defend better. At the moment we are missing a bit of stability. When we win it back then we will improve,” said the Spanish coach, who led them to an unbeaten domestic league and Cup double last season.
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“At the end of the day we cannot be satisfied having twice wasted a lead,” Alonso said. “It is not the first time this has happened to us this season. There are things we need to correct.”
Leverkusen’s latest slip-up in the league has left them five points off leader RB Leipzig in third place. It also drew 1-1 at Brest in the Champions League on Wednesday.
“This feels like crap,” said central defender Jonathan Tah. “Like a defeat. We just have to keep defending until the last second.
“The goals we let in were frustrating. I feel responsible. But we will get the chance to silence those talking about us now.”