Xabi Alonso Hails 10-Man Bayern Leverkusen's Resilience In 3-1 Win Over Hoffenheim: 'We Played Well'

Xabi Alonso praised Bayer Leverkusen's ability to manage the game with 10 men after they clung on to beat Hoffenheim 3-1 in the Bundesliga on Sunday. (More Football News)

Leಞverkusen were leading 3-0 on the hour mark when Alejandro Grimaldo was shown a second yellow card shortly bef🐲ore Hoffenheim's Gift Orban scored, inspiring hope of a comeback from the visitors. 

But the German champions managed to maintain their advantage and the win kept them second in the st🌺andings, six points behind leaders Bayern Munich.

"There were two games – 60 minutes with 11 players and 30 minutes with 10. We played well inꦚ both. Even when we were down to 10 men, we controll𝓰ed the game," Alonso said.

"We had a good initial a🍸dvantage, and the first 15 minutes of the second half were good too. 

"We didn't ♉concede much and we had our chances. After the red card, we had to get our act together, until we found our way back into the game.&qu﷽ot;

Emili♑ano Buendia, who was making his first appearance for Leverkusen after arriving on loan from Aston Villa, came on as a half-time substitute but was then withdrawn for felloܫw new signing Mario Hermoso when Grimaldo's red card forced Alonso into a reshuffle. 

Alonso was disappointed to have his hand forced, but he acknowledged sacrificing Buendia was the only way to main💦tain control of the contest.

"Unfortunately, I had to take Buendia off⛎. But it was the right decision," he said.

"We had less possession when we were a man🌱 down, but basically we did well. What we can do better is avoid these yellow c🌸ards for minor fouls."

Leverkusen are next in action against Koln in the DFB-Pokal quarter-finals on Wednesday, with a trip to Wolfsburg 🐻next up in the Bundesliga on Saturday.