Xabi Alonso talks rotation after victory over Häcken

Xabi Alonso spoke about his rotation policy after Bayer Leverkusen’s 4-0 win over BK Häcken and ahead of the upcoming match against Heidenheim.

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso made five changes to the team that drew 2-2 with Bayern Munich for Thursday’s crushing 4-0 victory over BK Häcken in the Europa League.

“That was the goal before the season, to have a large squad ready for three competitions,” Xabi Alonso said after the game, noting that in weeks with two matches, Leverkusen “can’t always play with the same lineup.”

The Spaniard added that he was “happy with all the players, who haven’t started recently.”

“When there are many options, it’s more difficult for me, but it’s better,” he said.

Captain and first-choice goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky was one of the players benched yesterday, with summer signing Matej Kovar making his first start in his place.

As for the possibility of Kovar being Leverkusen’s Europa League goalkeeper, Xabi Alonso responded:

“There is no final decision yet,” Alonso said. “It was a decision for this game. In the Bundesliga on Sunday, Lukas will be back in goal. And before the game in Norway we will see.

Bayer 04 will travel to Norway to face Molde FK in their next group stage match on October 5.

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