Alonso's Leverkusen Under Fire Ahead Of Union Clash
Zeeshan Mehtab Published November 04, 2022 | 09:10 AM
Berlin, Nov 4 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Nov, 2022 ) :Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso is in desperate need of a win as his side look to turn around their miserable form when they host Bundesliga leaders Union Berlin on Sunday.
Having finished third last season, Leverkusen are now third from bottom with just two wins in 12 games after a catastrophic start to the campaign.
Spanish 2010 World Cup winner Alonso was brought in to stop the rot in October, but has won only one of his seven games in charge so far.
"We have time to improve, and we will be better when we come back next year," said Alonso after his side limped into the Europa League knockout phase with a 0-0 draw against Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Yet he admitted that his team desperately need points as they prepare to face Union, Cologne and Stuttgart in their final three league games before the World Cup break.
"We need points and better performances. The next week will be very intense," he said.
Leverkusen's woes have invited fierce criticism from the German media, with Bild newspaper claiming their current form puts them "closer to the third division than the European spots".
They are 17 points behind surprise table-toppers Union, whom they host on Sunday.
The capital club's fairytale run at the top of the table is now in its eighth week, and they will be hoping to defend their one-point lead over Bayern Munich with another win in Leverkusen.
Union's story has drawn comparisons with 2016 Premier League winners Leicester City, but former Leicester striker Andrej Kramaric said this week that he doesn't think the Berlin club can go the distance.
"I think Leicester was a one-off, something which will never happen again," said the Croatian international, now at Hoffenheim.
"Union have had a great start, but if we are honest, I think Bayern are going to take the title again." Union will be hoping for some help from their cross-town rivals, who host Bayern in Berlin on Saturday.
Hertha's record is far from encouraging, however, having won just one of 22 games against Bayern since 2009.
One to watch: Rani Khedira (Union Berlin) The younger brother of 2014 World Cup winner Sami Khedira is in the form of his life for league leaders Union Berlin, and is now eyeing a place on the plane to Qatar.
Khedira confirmed last week that he is one of several surprise Names on Germany coach Hansi Flick's provisional squad list for the World Cup, and the midfielder has even been linked with a potential winter move to Barcelona.
Having joined from Augsburg at the beginning of last season, the 28-year-old has now established himself as the beating heart of Union's midfield and assumed the role of vice-captain at the high-flying capital club.
He has started in every Bundesliga game this season, and played every single minute of Union's first five Europa League fixtures.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
Arandu's roads closed due to flooding
Oil tanker catches fire in Islamabad’s Blue Area
Pakistan committed to ensure safety of foreign nationals: FO
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
Four passengers injured as train hit an empty vehicle
Over- speeding bus crushed to death two bike riders
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
UAF celebrates Int'l Chinese Language Day
More Stories From Sports
-
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
3 hours ago -
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
3 hours ago -
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
3 hours ago -
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results
4 hours ago -
Inaugurate of fitness gym at Ayum Stadium on 25th April
4 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results
4 hours ago
-
Women’s One-Day tournament: Multan beat Rawalpindi, Quetta beat Peshawar, Lahore beat Karachi
4 hours ago -
Argentinian Etcheverry sees off Norrie to head into Barcelona Open semis
6 hours ago -
Pakistan all set to face New Zealand tomorrow
8 hours ago -
Duplantis to unleash 'inner' pole vault contest as Olympics beckon
8 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results
8 hours ago -
'All-or-nothing' Norris takes sprint pole in rain chaos at Chinese GP
9 hours ago