Soccer-Alonso unhappy with Leverkusen’s defending in nervy 4-3 win over Wolfsburg

Sept 22 (Reuters) – Manager Xabi Alonso slammed Bayer Leverkusen’s “soft” defending after watching his side twice fall behind before mounting a second-half comeback to clinch a 4-3 win over VfL Wolfsburg in a Bundesliga clash on Sunday.

Visitors Wolfsburg took the lead within four minutes and scored twice in a nine-minute spell just before halftime to take a 3-2 lead, with Leverkusen needing second-half goals from substitutes Piero Hincapie and Victor Boniface to clinch the win.

“On the one hand I’m satisfied and happy with three points, on the other hand I’m not so satisfied with the performance,” Alonso told reporters.

“The first half in particular was too crazy, too unstable. We deservedly conceded three goals and simply defended too softly.

“Our second half was a little better. Overall, however, it wasn’t our best performance today. After the short break after our Champions League opener, it wasn’t easy for us. It wasn’t easy, especially from an emotional point of view.”

Leverkusen, who became the first team to finish a Bundesliga season unbeaten as they clinched the title, have struggled defensively this season, conceding two goals in a win over Borussia Moenchengladbach before losing 3-2 to RB Leipzig.

“Nine goals conceded after four games is too much,” Alonso said.

“Last season is history, we are not comparing ourselves to it, but we definitely have to do better defensively. Against the ball – but also with the ball we have to be more stable.”

Leverkusen, who have nine points from four games, next travel to league-leaders Bayern Munich for a Bundesliga clash, before hosting Italian side AC Milan in a Champions League game.

“With three points everything is easier, of course,” Alonso added.

“We can learn a lot of things from the game – and we will. We will analyse it and improve it, because then we want to be ready for two top games in a short space of time.”

(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Nashik, India, editing by Pritha Sarkar)

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