\"We must find the right balance between attacking and defending. It's as simple as this,\" the 42-year-old Spaniard ws quoted by Xinhua.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After an unbeaten 2023-2024 season, which saw Bayer claim the national title with ease, the team now seems to be feeling the weight of their success.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"Things don't work as last season. Not everything is coming that easily,\" midfielder and Swiss international Granit Xhaka concluded.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Following nine goals conceded in the national league over four games, Leverkusen returned to defensive basics when facing the current top team in Germany, Bayern Munich, managing a 1-1 draw.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The shift in play, which has surprised fans and pundits, appears to be a necessary step for Alonso after the historic first National Championship.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Surviving a game without the usual dominance - with a passing record of 322 to Bayern's 714 and only three shots on target compared to Bayern's 18 - proved to be a crucial development step for Bayer.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"On the way to becoming a robust, long-lasting top team, we need a game like that. It showed us we can do both and get things back into place,\" said Alonso, a two-time Champions League winner. He emphasized that achieving the right balance is vital for success in both the Champions League and the upcoming match against Milan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Xhaka noted that the poor defending in recent weeks required a response from the entire team and viewed the draw in Munich as a success.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
From Xhaka's perspective, not falling apart under the pressure of Bayern's attacking and maintaining composure with a ball-possession rate of just 31 percent (compared to Bayern's 69 percent) demonstrated that the reigning German champions have learned valuable lessons.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The timing of this performance comes just before facing Milan, a team known for its ability to both defend solidly and counterattack effectively, according to the former Arsenal midfielder.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Following a 3-0 win against Feyenoord in their Champions League opener, the upcoming match against Milan on home soil is seen as critical for striking the right balance between defending and attacking.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The timing of this performance comes just before facing Milan, a team known for its ability to both defend solidly and counterattack effectively, according to the former Arsenal midfielder.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Also Read: <\/b> Highest tax paying cricketers<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n