Before the restart, coach Xabi Alonso does not know exactly where his team stands. For the game in Gladbach, winter signing Noah Mbamba is an option for the squad. With two potential top performers, the Spaniard sees at least positive signals for an early return to team training.
Leverkusen’s new signing Noah Mbamba is about to jump into the matchday squad.
IMAGO/Belgian
Bayer 04’s last competitive game was more than two months ago. And for that reason alone there is a certain amount of uncertainty: how far along are Xabi Alonso, who had the opportunity for extensive tactical training for the first time, and the Werkself ahead of the crucial game in Mönchengladbach?
“We are ready”
“We’re excited after a long break. I have the feeling that the team needs a competitive game now. Hopefully we’re ready for Sunday,” said the Spaniard on Friday, before turning the question into a statement shortly afterwards: “We’re ready .”
This applies purely to aspects of fitness for almost the entire squad. “We have almost all the players fit for the game. With two players we have to wait a little longer,” explained the coach in relation to Patrik Schick (groin problems) and Charles Aranguiz (calf problems). “They’re not there yet, but they’re close to being fit. I don’t know when, but they’re working on the pitch, running, doing something with the ball. The recovery is going fast. That’s good news.”
The goalscorer and the midfield strategist will certainly be missing in Gladbach and are unlikely to be candidates in the English week against Bochum and Dortmund. Completely different from Noah Mbamba, who Bayer 04 signed from Club Brugge a week ago.
The 18-year-old defensive talent, who was used on Monday, his first day at Bayer, in an internal test match against his own U19s (5-0) over 2 x 30 minutes, could be part of the matchday squad at Borussia Park. “He’s a candidate,” said Xabi Alonso, who is spoiled for choice.
Mbamba “makes a good impression”
“We have a lot of players fit right now. That’s good. Of course it will be a difficult decision for me, but he makes a good impression,” says the coach, “he’s only 18 years old, but he has personality and is a good player . We have to be patient and see how he develops. But I think he can help us.” Especially since Mbamba can not only be used as a six, but also as a central defender.
What is the impact of the summer transfer?
Xabi Alonso does not rule out the fact that Bayer could benefit from another winter transfer in Gladbach. The interplay in the Gladbach goalkeeper position – Yann Sommer to Bayern Munich, Jonas Omlin from Montpellier to Borussia – also raises questions about the effects from the coach’s point of view.
“You never know, but Yann Sommer was an important figure for Gladbach. He was also important in the build-up game, with his influence on the team. And we don’t know how the new goalkeeper will influence Gladbach’s game,” said Xabi Alonso. “but we know what we want and how we want to implement it.”
Wirtz “has this special quality”
Florian Wirtz, who will celebrate his competitive comeback a good ten months after his cruciate ligament rupture, naturally plays a decisive role. “He improved our game between the lines. He has this special quality,” says the Spaniard, describing the impact of the exceptional talent.
For Xabi Alonso, there is no question that the 19-year-old has to live up to high expectations, but from his point of view it is not a problem. “It’s normal for him to have pressure. But it’s not just up to Florian. We have to work well as a team so he can play all the better.” Sunday in Gladbach will also show how far Bayer has come in this regard.
