Bayer 04 Leverkusen head coach, Xabi Alonso, has refused to speak on his preferred striking choice as the German champions head into their Bundesliga opener this evening, Soccernet.ng reports.
Super Eagles forward, Victor Boniface was instrumental to Die Werkself's attack last season, scoring 21 goals and providing ten assists in 34 games.In the same vein, Czech striker, Patrick Schick scored 13 goals and provided three assists in in 33 games for the DFL Super Cup winners.
The pair were also on the scoreboard as Leverkusen defeated Stuttgart in the DFL Super Cup on penalties despite being a man down for most of the game after Martin Terrier was sent off in the first half of the game at the Bay Arena.
Speaking ahead of Leverkusen's opening Bundesliga game against Borussia Mönchengladbach tonight, the coach, Alonso, revealed he's yet to settle on a particular starting line-up, leaving him undecided about who starts up-front and in goal.
“The decision of who starts remains open, but you will see tonight, It is also not decided who starts for the whole season, but we will see for the whole season. Both are read. Between Lukas (Hradecky) or Matej (Kovar)? It is the same. We'll see what happens,” the Spaniard said in his pre-match conference.
Additionally, the former Real Madrid midfielder warned his team ahead of their Bundesliga opener, revealing their success last season doesn't guarantee anything as they kick off this campaign.
“Like all teams, we are starting with no points. Last season's success does not give us anything for the new campaign. We have to start picking up points again and work hard to achieve that.”
The UEFA Europa League winners have signed Martin Terrier, Aleix Garcia, and Jeanuel Belocian this summer, and Alonso is confident the game against Gladbach won't end goalless like it did when both sides met last season.
“It's special to play in an opening match. The stadium in Mönchengladbach is big, there will be a special atmosphere – also thanks to our many fans at the game. We've brought in players whose quality and mentality are top and they have taken our style of play on board. I'm happy with the squad and the players. Gladbach, in attack, have signed new players like Tim Kleindienst. It will be a different game from the one at the start of the year. I don't care about the opinions on Bayern, Our clear target is the top four. The first thing for us is to make a good start to the season. And I feel good about that,” Alonso concluded.
The German Football Association (DFB) fined Boniface on Wednesday after investigating an incident that occurred during the DFL Super Cup, with the Nigerian striker alleged to have thrown a middle finger in the opposition's face. He was fined approximately 44 million naira.
