Alonso lauds Leverkusen´s ´fight´ in St. Pauli triumph

Xabi Alonso lauded Bayer Leverkusen’s fight in their 2-1 win over St. Pauli on Saturday, earning the champions a third-straight Bundesliga triumph.

Alonso’s side struck twice in the first half through Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Tah, with Morgan Guilavogui reducing the deficit in the 84th minute for St. Pauli.

Leverkusen improved their record against newly-promoted sides in the Bundesliga, having lost just one of their last 21 games against them (W16 D4).

But the reigning champions were made to work for their win, registering an expected goals (xG) total of 0.88 from their six shots compared to St. Pauli’s 1.82 from their 12 efforts.

“Yes, we didn’t discuss for today, but after Kiel, for example, what we can do better,” Alonso told reporters following Saturday’s victory.

“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.”

Thank you Werkself fans! pic.twitter.com/ZA1yTUCUGO

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) December 7, 2024

The victory moved Leverkusen up to third in the Bundesliga, seven points behind leaders Bayern Munich, who beat Heidenheim 4-2 on Saturday.

But their attention will turn swiftly to the Champions League, with Inter the visitors to the BayArena on Tuesday.

Alonso’s side find themselves sixth in the new 36-team standings in the competition after five games, taking 10 points from those games and scoring 11 times.