Alonso on another disappointing draw: “We have to do better when we take the lead”

Xabi Alonso says Leverkusen need to do better when defending a lead after his side were held to a 1-1 draw by Bochum.

For the fourth time in their last five Bundesliga games, Bayer Leverkusen had to settle for a draw on Saturday, sharing the spoils with Bochum.

Die Werkself took the lead in the first half but only managed a point after Koji Miyoshi scored late on for the bottom side.

Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso was frustrated to see his side throw away a lead once again, with the game bringing back memories of a 2-2 draw with Holstein Kiel just over a month ago.

“It is the same feeling as against Kiel. We couldn’t finish the game on a high and conceded a late equaliser. We need to do better when we take the lead. We need to work on that and learn how to deal with it and get the three points,” said Xabi Alonso after the game.

“Bochum defended tightly and with discipline. We didn’t create much in the final third today and I’m not happy with that. We said at half-time that one goal wouldn’t be enough. We weren’t good enough.”

The defeat means that the German champions, fourth in the standings, are now nine points behind league leaders Bayern Munich.