This guy is a phenomenon! Xabi was a world-class player and he's already a world-class coach
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 25.11.23. | 21:25
Playing under Alonso 'a dream' for Leverkusen's Xhaka
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka said on Saturday "it is a dream" to play under Xabi Alonso after a 3-0 win at Werder Bremen helped his team back to the top of the Bundesliga.
Xhaka’s numbers are 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐄! 😳✨
— Football Transfer News (@FootballTrfNews) November 20, 2023
Granit has played more final third passes (127) and more progressive passes (119) than any player in Europe’s top 5 leagues so far this season.
Brain of Xabi Alonso’s wonderful team 🧠 pic.twitter.com/91hJqi81Mb
The victory -- Leverkusen's 17th in 18 fixtures this season -- reestablished their two-point lead over second-placed Bayern Munich. Xhaka joined Leverkusen in the close-season from Premier League side Arsenal, where he played under Alonso's childhood friend Mikel Arteta.
"It's a dream for me to play under Xabi Alonso, he was a world-class player in the same position as me -- I played against him myself. He gives me things that I can take... We have a great team, a great coach and a great mentality. We work hard daily and you can see the results on the ground."
Xhaka is one of several summer signings to impress this season, along with Alex Grimaldo, who scored in the win over Bremen, Victor Boniface and Jonas Hofmann.
Leverkusen's blistering start has some talking of a potential maiden Bundesliga title, but Xhaka was careful not to look too far into the future.
"Nothing is a foregone conclusion. We need to continue to work and see where we end up. In football, anything is possible. We must continue to keep our feet on the ground and we will see what will happen."
© Agence France-Presse
BUNDESLIGA - Matchday 12
Friday
Koln - Bayern 0-1 (0-1)
/Kane 20/
Saturday
BVB - Borussia Monchengladbach 4-2 (3-2)
/Sabitzer 30, Fullkrug 32, Bynoe-Gittens 45, Malen 90+7 - Reitz 13, Kone 28/
Freiburg - Darmstadt 1-1 (1-1)
/Holer 35 - Honsak 18/
Union Berlin - Augsburg 1-1 (0-1)
/Volland 88 - Demirovic 39 pen/
Werder - Leverkusen 0-3 (0-2)
/Deman 9 og, Frimpong 43, Grimaldo 76/
Wolfsburg - RB Leipzig 2-1 (1-0)
/Wind 9, Rogerio 66 - Poulsen 52/
20.30: (2.65) Eintr.Frankfurt (3.35) Stuttgart (2.70)
Sunday
17.30: (2.35) Heidenheim (3.60) Bochum (3.20)
19.30: (1.94) Hoffenheim (3.60) Mainz (4.00)
***odds are subject to change
