Xabi Alonso believes Bayer Leverkusen delivered their most full efficiency within the Bundesliga regardless of being held to a goalless draw in opposition to Stuttgart on Friday.
Leverkusen missed the possibility to shut the hole on the summit of the league desk, regardless of dominating proceedings on the BayArena all through.
The hosts twice struck the woodwork in both half via Edmond Tapsoba and Victor Boniface, whereas Florian Wirtz was denied by a beautiful cease from Alexander Nubel late on.
Leverkusen ended the competition with an anticipated targets (xG) complete of two.19 in comparison with Stuttgart’s 0.28, additional emphasising the prevalence they’d over their opponents.
The outcome noticed Alonso’s aspect produce their second-highest underperformance when it comes to their xG for the reason that Spaniard took over the membership in 2022, although the Leverkusen boss was completely satisfied together with his aspect’s show.
“We’re sad. We thought we had finished sufficient to win it,” Alonso stated. “We pressed properly. Our gamers confirmed quite a lot of power to press so much.
“We created quite a lot of probabilities within the first half. However we additionally had probabilities within the second half.”
“Perhaps probably the most full efficiency from us though we didn’t rating. It was a prime recreation.
“From Monday we give attention to Liverpool. A giant recreation, to play in Anfield,” stated the previous Liverpool participant.
-2.2 – Within the 0-0 draw in opposition to VfB Stuttgart, Bayer 04 Leverkusen underperformed their xG-value by 2.2 targets – solely within the 0-0 draw in opposition to Monchengladbach in January this yr Bayer04 underperformed their xG-value extra in a league match beneath Xabi Alonso (-3.0). Unlucky. pic.twitter.com/I3OWiw8Jl4
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) November 1, 2024
However Leverkusen’s struggles away from dwelling continued. Alonso’s aspect have now simply gained one among their final 5 league video games, drawing the opposite 4.
They remained third within the Bundesliga desk, however at the moment are 4 factors behind RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich, who now each have a recreation in hand.
“It’s nonetheless early within the season,” Alonso stated when requested concerning the rising hole with the league leaders. “There are sufficient video games. We wish to hold going.”