Alonso sings Mukiele’s praises after winner

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso was full of praise for Nordi Mukiele after the defender scored the winner against Inter on Tuesday.

Nordi Mukiele proved an unlikely hero for Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday, scoring a late goal to give his side a 1-0 win over Inter in the Champions League.

Speaking after the game, Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso was full of praise for Mukiele, saying he feels the French defender is really starting to find his feet following his summer loan move from Paris Saint-Germain.

“Everything takes time. Nordi is adapting better and better. He had an injury, but he can now give us a lot of quality that we’ve been missing in that area. He knows the Bundesliga, has competed in the Champions League and has done really well in the big games,” said Xabi Alonso at his press conference after the game.

“The goal is the highlight, but there are a lot of good things behind the highlight, and we need to keep pushing him.”

Mukiele will be pushing for another start when Leverkusen travel to Augsburg on Saturday.