Summary: Bayern Munich - Borussia Monchengladbach 1:3/Sport1
In Germany, the minutes are already counting down to the season match between Leverkusen and Bayern Munich tomorrow (Saturday, 19:30, Sport2).
The two parted in a dramatic 2-2 draw in September at the Allianz Arena, with Asquiel Palacios equalizing for Leverkusen with a penalty in the 94th minute.
Tomorrow the injured Argentine will be absent, and the leader will try to remain undefeated in all the frames.
Bayern on the other hand, which is two points away from Berkusen, will be able to return to the top after a long period if they win.
The big story in Leverkusen is of course Xavi Alonso, a former Bayern Munich player who works magic as a coach at Bayer.
The former Spanish midfielder is considered one of the most sought-after coaches in Europe and a huge challenge awaits him tomorrow.
In Bayern Munich, they have already started sending messages and small bites in preparation for the match, and the one who spoke was a member of the club's management, Oli Hans.
"Does Leverkusen play the most beautiful football in Germany? Probably yes, but you don't get a title for it," said Hans, "Alonso has players that suit him, but there was also a bit of luck with the acquisition. No one had seen Victor Boniface before and they didn't know Alex Grimaldo. Scouting is good, but luck is also needed for a player who arrives in a new country and team to have such an impact."
Hans compared the job at the Leverkusen club to the coaching job at the Allianz Arena and said: "With Alonso, we see what happens when the coach can work with his players quietly. At Bayern, it's difficult because the media is constantly publishing things about you. In Leverkusen, they concentrate on what's important, they only talk about football."
"You also need luck."
Xavi Alonso/GettyImages
Thomas Tuchel has not been in the job for a year yet, but during this period it was often talked about that his position at Bayern is unstable.
Hans commented on the high rate of change of coaches in the club in recent years: "It's not a good sign because we want consistency. When we had coaches for long periods it was good - Pep Guardiola, Jupp Heynckes, Otmar Hitzfeld, Udo Latek. Today we don't have that."
"However, the demands have become much higher," emphasized Hans, "I remember that once upon a time everyone hugged when we won championships. Today, everyone says that if we don't win a championship in March-April, then it's a season that should be forgotten. I think they're also exaggerating when they say that we always have to reach the semis The final of the Champions League. We waited 25 years for the European title in 2001. Everyone ignores the fact that only we don't have an oligarch, patron or sheikh.
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