Alonso striving for consistency with Leverkusen
Xabi Alonso wants his Bayer Leverkusen side to show it has rediscovered its consistency when it takes on Union Berlin in the Bundesliga this weekend.
After going without a win in three games in all competitions, Leverkusen has put together back-to-back victories, scoring 10 goals in the process.
Leverkusen's 5-2 victory against Heidenheim in the league last time out saw them win a Bundesliga game from two goals down for the first time since April 2016, when it beat Schalke 3-2.
Victory in the UEFA Champions League over RB Salzburg in midweek, however, was a little more straightforward after cruising to a 5-0 triumph against the Austrian side.
It was Leverkusen's joint-biggest win in its major European football history, while also registering a third UEFA Champions League win this season, the first time it had done so since the 2014-2015 campaign.
Yet it has managed three consecutive victories across all competitions only once this season, something Alonso acknowledged must improve.
"We want to have again a good feeling. After [the win over] Heidenheim it was better, and it was certainly better after Salzburg," coach Alonso said.
"Tomorrow is a different game, but it is a good moment to show that after two good games we can play a third good one in a row. I want another clean sheet tomorrow."
The reigning champion finds itself fourth in the Bundesliga table, nine points off leader Bayern Munich, which faces Borussia Dortmund in the late kick-off in Der Klassiker.
Leverkusen has managed just one win in its past four top-flight games, but Alonso has reason to be confident of adding three points to their tally this weekend.
It is unbeaten in its past 22 Bundesliga away games, with 16 wins and five draws.
In league history, only Bayern has ever put together longer undefeated streaks on the road – 33 games from 2012 to 2014 and 26 games from 1985 to 1987. The Werkself has also scored in all 22 of these fixtures, an ongoing club record.
"We know we expect something different against Union and a big challenge in front of us," Alonso said. "We have to be prepared for a physical game."
