Alonso striving for consistency from Leverkusen upon Bundesliga return

Xabi Alonso wants his Bayer Leverkusen side to show they have rediscovered their consistency when they take on Union Berlin in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

After going without a win in three games in all competitions, Leverkusen have put together back-to-back victories, scoring 10 goals in the process.

Leverkusen’s 5-2 victory against Heidenheim in the league last time out saw them come from two goals down to win a Bundesliga game for the first time since April 2016 (3-2 at Schalke).

Their victory in the Champions League over RB Salzburg in midweek, however, was a little more straightforward after cruising to a 5-0 triumph against the Austrian side.

It was Leverkusen’s joint-biggest win in their major European football history, while also registering their third Champions League win this season, the first time they had done so since the 2014-15 campaign (four wins).

Yet they have managed three consecutive victories across all competitions only once this season, something Alonso acknowledged must improve.

“We want to have again a good feeling. After (the win over) Heidenheim it was better, and it was certainly better after Salzburg,” coach Alonso told a press conference.

“Tomorrow is a different game… but it is a good moment to show that after two good games we can play a third good one in a row. I want another clean sheet tomorrow.”

Off to the Capital. pic.twitter.com/ni4ndwSVTg

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) November 28, 2024

The reigning champions find themselves fourth in the Bundesliga table, nine points off leaders Bayern Munich, who face Borussia Dortmund in the late kick-off on Saturday.

Leverkusen have managed just one win in their last four top-flight games, though Alonso has reason to be confident of adding three points to their tally this weekend.

They are unbeaten in their last 22 Bundesliga away games (W16, D6). In league history, only Bayern have ever put together longer undefeated streaks on the road (33 games from 2012 to 2014 and 26 games from 1985 to 1987). The Werkself have also scored in all 22 of these fixtures, an ongoing club record.

“We know we expect something different against Union and a big challenge in front of us,” Alonso said. “We have to be prepared for a physical game.”