Shay Given Critiques Xabi Alonso’s Tactical Decisionmaking in Leverkusen’s UEFA Champions League Loss
Former Manchester City and Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given weighed in on Xabi Alonso’s strategic decisions during Bayer Leverkusen’s UEFA Champions League match against Liverpool at Anfield, which the German side won 4-1.
In a post-match analysis on Premier Sports Ireland, Given criticized Alonso’s decision to deploy striker Victor Boniface as a left winger, a move that ultimately proved disastrous for Leverkusen. The manager’s 3-5-2 formation left the team without a recognized center-forward, exposing them to the attacking prowess of Liverpool.
Liverpool’s Luis Díaz and Cody Gakpo were instrumental in the victory, with Díaz scoring a hat-trick and Gakpo adding another to the scoreboard. Given compared Leverkusen’s performance to their underwhelming display in the Europa League final against Atalanta, saying, “They were so disappointing, they got bullied against Atalanta in the final.”
Given also questioned the team’s ability to create chances in the final third, stating, “I don’t know, just very poor in the final third.” He noted that while Leverkusen tried to play out from the back and transition through the midfield, Boniface’s positioning on the left wing was a major issue. “At times, Boniface was playing on the left wing, which is not where you want him. You want him to be more of a target man; you want him to bring some sort of injection to the attack,” he said.
