‘As a team on the pitch’: Tah on first improvements under Alonso

With the victory over Schalke 04, Xabi Alonso got off to a good start in his new position as coach at Bayer Leverkusen. Jonathan Tah has already seen some aspects going better under the new coach.

With the 4-0 home win last Saturday, Xabi Alonso got off to a very good start in his tenure. On Wednesday evening, the game against FC Porto is a much bigger challenge than it was.

And yet the first game under Alonso as coach gave some confidence and self-confidence. Not only because of the result, but also because of the overall performance of the team.

Tah praises the improved performance of the Werkself under Alonso’s direction

Jonathan Tah also emphasized that at the press conference before the premier class duel. The defender elaborated on what the new coach has already tackled, changed and adjusted.

“Definitely he’s had a lot of conversations,” Tah first said (via table football). That was already noticeable at the weekend. The Spaniard kept bringing his players to him to provide them with the latest orders and other motivational announcements.

“I think we noticed in the game against Schalke that we just did a lot better. That we were much more compact, that the game was made much more intense by us, that we were higher and above all – what important – that we act together as a team on the pitch,” he continued.

It also quickly became clear to every player that “discipline, professionalism” prevail and that “energy must be given to the team” while responsibility is assumed.

For the first appearance, the team was able to implement this effect well. Often described as a coaching effect, Alonso must have worked well on it himself.

“But now, of course, we’re facing a very difficult game, where we obviously want to put a lot of intensity back on the pitch and make the game successful,” said Tah, already looking ahead.

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This article was originally published on 90min.com/de as.