Soccer-Alonso demands Leverkusen improve focus over 90 minutes against Bochum
BERLIN, Nov 8 (Reuters) -Champions Bayer Leverkusen must show they can remain focused over the entire game when they travel to VfL Bochum on Saturday as they look to secure only their second win in the Bundesliga since September.
Last year's domestic double winners have been struggling in the league in recent weeks with just one victory in their last five matches that has seen them drop to fourth place on 16 points, seven off leaders Bayern Munich.
"We have to become consistent in the game with our concentration and mentality," coach Xabi Alonso told a press conference on Friday.
"That's what we need to improve most. We want to be consistent in our way of playing but also our mentality and our focus. Every moment is important.
"It is not enough to play well over 80 minutes. We need it over the entire time with 100% presence on the pitch. If not then we make mistakes and mistakes at this high level are costly."
Leverkusen largely neutralised Liverpool for an hour in their Champions League match on Tuesday but then conceded four goals in a 4-0 defeat.
In the Bundesliga they have managed only four draws and one win in their last five games.
"We want to be consistent. We can do it better and tomorrow it is important to play well. We are prepared for all situations," Alonso said.
Bochum, in last place with one point from nine matches, will be managed by new coach Dieter Hecking, who took over on Monday and is hoping to kick start their season.
"We know what to expect," Alonso said. "The intensity in Bochum, a new coach. They want to change the mood and mindset. But we are prepared. We know what to expect."
"We have to know it is very important for us. Tomorrow there are no excuses for not playing well. We face a good opponent but we have to be prepared."
Reporting by Karolos Grohmann
Editing by Toby Davis
免責聲明: XM Group提供線上交易平台的登入和執行服務，允許個人查看和/或使用網站所提供的內容，但不進行任何更改或擴展其服務和訪問權限，並受以下條款與條例約束：（i）條款與條例；（ii）風險提示；（iii）完全免責聲明。網站內部所提供的所有資訊，僅限於一般資訊用途。請注意，我們所有的線上交易平台內容並不構成，也不被視為進入金融市場交易的邀約或邀請 。金融市場交易會對您的投資帶來重大風險。
所有缐上交易平台所發佈的資料，僅適用於教育/資訊類用途，不包含也不應被視爲適用於金融、投資稅或交易相關諮詢和建議，或是交易價格紀錄，或是任何金融商品或非應邀途徑的金融相關優惠的交易邀約或邀請。
本網站的所有XM和第三方所提供的内容，包括意見、新聞、研究、分析、價格其他資訊和第三方網站鏈接，皆爲‘按原狀’，並作爲一般市場評論所提供，而非投資建議。請理解和接受，所有被歸類為投資研究範圍的相關内容，並非爲了促進投資研究獨立性，而根據法律要求所編寫，而是被視爲符合營銷傳播相關法律與法規所編寫的内容。請確保您已詳讀並完全理解我們的非獨立投資研究提示和風險提示資訊，相關詳情請點擊 這裡查看。
