Grimaldo Demands More From Leverkusen After Dramatic Win
Bayer Leverkusen defender Alex Grimaldo has issued a rallying cry to his teammates, demanding an immediate improvement in their level of performance despite a 6-3 comeback victory over VfL Wolfsburg. The Spanish wing-back, who scored twice in the 6-3 win, was critical of his side's performance, which saw them 3-1 down in the first half before a remarkable second-half turnaround.
Grimaldo, who opened the scoring and then restored parity at 3-3 before the break, was blunt in his assessment. According to an interview with Bild, the Spaniard dismissed the idea that tactics or quality were the primary issues. "This has nothing to do with tactics or quality. It's about what we want: we want to be back in the Champions League next season," Grimaldo said. "We've made many mistakes this season; that has to change. We have to do better."
The 28-year-old, a summer signing from Benfica, highlighted a lack of focus as a key issue for Xabi Alonso's side. Leverkusen, currently sixth in the Bundesliga, are four points adrift of a Champions League qualification spot. Grimaldo suggested the team has a problem with concentration, which has prevented them from putting together a complete performance. "Yes, maybe," Grimaldo replied when asked by Bild if the team had a focus problem. "We have to stay focused on the game. Twenty or forty-five good minutes are not enough. How we played in the second half has to be the way. If we play like that, we can beat any team in Europe. But we have to play well for the full 90 minutes."
The dramatic win, which saw Leverkusen score five unanswered goals in the second half, was a microcosm of their season: brilliant in moments but plagued by inconsistency. The victory keeps them in touch with the top four, but Grimaldo's comments underscore a belief within the squad that their current position is below their potential. The team's upcoming fixture, a trip to face Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park, presents a major test of their Champions League credentials and their ability to perform for the full 90 minutes as demanded by their influential left-back.
