Xabi Alonso hails Bayer Leverkusen after ‘unspectacular but efficient’ performance in St. Pauli victory

Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso praised his side’s efficient performance during Saturday’s 2-1 victory over newly promoted St. Pauli in the Bundesliga, Soccernet.football reports.

The reigning Bundesliga champions finally seem to be finding some kind of rhythm this season after valiantly battling out a narrow victory at the Bay Arena in Leverkusen to secure their third straight win in the league.

A couple of first half goals from Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Tah put Alonso’s men in the ascendancy. Morgan Guilavogui’s 84th minute strike for St. Pauli put the cats among the pigeons but Leverkusen managed to hold on for the win.

While Alonso lauded his charges after the win, he also stressed they have to do better; “Yes, we didn’t discuss for today, but after Kiel, for example, what we can do better,” Alonso said after the game.

“How to play with more intelligence in those minutes. Today wasn’t spectacular, but we were more efficient and playing with more intelligence from minute one.

“When you play every three days, it’s not easy to defend everything all the time. I have to praise my team for finishing today’s game with a win.

“But that is what we need to realise about the situation that we are in. To fight for results and to fight for points. Yes, the first half was good, and the second half was okay.”

Now up to third in the Bundesliga standings, Bayer Leverkusen will be focusing their attention on Inter Milan’s visit to the Bay Arena in the Champions League on Tuesday, December 10.