Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso feels Champions League opponents Inter Milan are “one of the top teams in Europe.”
Alonso spoke in a press conference ahead of tomorrow’s match, as reported by FCInterNews. He also praised Nerazzurri and former Leverkusen midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu.
Leverkusen take on Inter in the Champions League tomorrow evening.
The German team are certainly going to be formidable opposition for the Nerazzurri. And at the same time, the same could be said the other way around.
Leverkusen proved their quality in the Bundesliga last season. They won the title in dominant fashion, going the entire season without losing a match.
Along the way, Leverkusen secured a win and a draw against Bayern Munich among other standout results.
Then, there was the Europa League. Alonso’s team knocked out a number of high-level European sides on the way to the final of that competition.
But then Leverkusen suffered a shock defeat – their first of the season – at the hands of Atalanta. La Dea thrashed them 3-0.
This season, Leverkusen have once again been in strong form.
There was a an emphatic 4-0 loss against Liverpool, arguably the form team in all of Europe. But there was also a convincing victory against AC Milan, and another strong Bundesliga campaign.
Leverkusen coach Alonso said Inter are “one of the top sides in Europe.”
“They’re a team with great consistency. They’re solid, and they have a clear idea of how they want to play.”
“They know how to direct matches, they’re mature, and it will be fantastic to play against them.”
Alosno further called Inter a “winning team.”
“They played in the Champions League final two seasons ago,” he noted. “And won the Scudetto.”
“They can control matches, because they have top players, and one of the best coaches in the world.”
“We can’t wait to host them here in our stadium,” declared the Leverkusen coach.
As far as facing former Leverkusen midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu at the heart of the Inter midfielder, Alonso said that “We don’t think in terms of individual players.”
“But he’s a player who has a big impact on matches. When he played here it was as a Number Ten, but his game has changed over time.”
“He’s a key player for Inter,” Alonso said of Calhanoglu. “The same way Kimmich is for Bayern.”
As far as where he’d put Calhanoglu in a ranking of holding midfielders in Europe right now, Alonso said “I can’t say exactly where.”
“But certainly right around the top.”
“Inter have a lot of solutions in midfield,” Alonso continued. “They have two players for every role that I rate at a very high level.”
“But it’s not just about having top players. It’s also about playing as a team.”
Alonso noted that “Inter know how to press high, they know how to pass it short or long, and they know how to handle transitions and rotations on the pitch, which is typical in Italy.”
“It will be a great match,” said the Leverkusen coach. “We can’t wait.”
