Alejandro Grimaldo on Xabi Alonso: “Xabi is something special. There are not many coaches like him in the world of football.”

Speaking to Marca via Bild, Alejandro Grimaldo was asked about the prospects of winning the Bundesliga title at Bayer Leverkusen and his coach Xabi Alonso. 

Leverkusen are currently first in the Bundesliga with eight games left to play and a 10-point lead on Bayern Munich, meaning that a maiden Bundesliga title is looking more and more possible. On the prospect of winning the title, Grimaldo said: “The Bundesliga would be special. To come here and win a title in my first year that Bayer Leverkusen has never won before would be to make history. This is something that the whole team and I also want to achieve. And I think we are on the right track.”

Die Werkself’s performances have attracted admirers, most notably head coach Xabi Alonso, who has recently been linked to Liverpool and Bayern Munich. Under the Spaniard, Grimaldo has become, arguably, one of the best wing-backs in the world. In 26 games in the Bundesliga, the 28-year-old has scored nine goals and assisted 11 which is his best season in terms of output already.

On the impact of his countryman and his future, Grimaldo said: “I had very good coaches throughout my career, both at Barcelona and at Benfica. But Xabi is something special. There are not many coaches like him in the world of football.” On Alonso’s future, Grimaldo added: “It’s still too early. He will know what decision he has to make. But it is clear that I would like to continue with him.”

Heading into the final portion of the season after the international break, Leverkusen still find themselves unbeaten in all competitions, in the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal against Fortuna Düsseldorf and in the quarter-finals of the Europa League against West Ham given them a real chance to win three trophies in a season for the first time since their fatal 2001-02 season. 

GGFN | Jack Meenan