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Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer mentioned former team-mate Xabi Alonso has his unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen enjoying within the ex-midfielder’s personal picture, earlier than Saturday’s conflict between the edges.
Bayern journey to Leverkusen this weekend sitting within the unfamiliar second spot within the Bundesliga desk, two factors behind Alonso’s unbeaten league leaders.
“It is like how Xabi performed when he was a participant,” Neuer mentioned of Alonso’s Leverkusen in an interview with the Bundesliga web site.
“He gained an perception into a great passing sport, enjoying with quite a lot of possession, and he handed this onto his workforce.
“He is a participant who actually loved having the ball and his workforce have this character, the place they need to have the ball and never chase it,” the 37-year-old goalkeeper added.
Leverkusen are but to lose a sport this season in any competitors, successful 25 and drawing 4 of 29 matches.
Germany’s Neuer, who performed alongside the midfielder for 3 years in Munich, mentioned Alonso had remodeled Leverkusen.
“He took over the workforce in a really troublesome second and nonetheless confirmed right away that issues have been solely going to go in a single course,” Neuer mentioned.
“You seen instantly that Xabi Alonso and Bayer Leverkusen are only a good match for one another and that has an impact on gamers.”
A Leverkusen victory on Saturday would transfer Alonso’s facet 5 factors clear atop the desk with 13 video games to play.
Runners-up 5 instances, Leverkusen have by no means gained a German championship, whereas Bayern have gained the previous 11 Bundesliga titles in a row.
Of the present Bayern squad, solely Neuer and fellow veteran Thomas Mueller have completed a marketing campaign on the membership with out successful the league.
“We now have recognized success and we have to hold this motivation going to be able to keep away from the sensation of not being champions,” Neuer mentioned.
“That feeling is deeply current in me and I do not need to expertise it once more.”
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