Yahoo Sports Tah claims Bayer Leverkusen ‘need to be at 100%’ against ‘dangerous’ Milan
Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah is expecting a tough game from AC Milan on Tuesday night as he pointed out some of the difficulties in facing Italian sides.
Milan will take on Leverkusen at the BayArena hoping to get their UCL campaign kick started after they were beaten 3-1 by Liverpool at San Siro earlier in the month, a result that looked like it had put Paulo Fonseca on the brink of being sacked
Getting a good result in Germany will be far from easy though given that Die Werkself won the league last season and went unbeaten as well, also lifting the German Cup and reaching the Europa League final in Dublin.
That final against Atalanta has perhaps left them with some bitter taste in terms of facing clubs from Serie A as they were outplayed and lost 3-0, their only defeat of the campaign and one that ended a 53-game run.
Tah spoke alongside head coach Xabi Alonso at a press conference on the eve of the Champions League tie at the BayArena tomorrow, and his comments were relayed by TMW.
What kind of a game are you expecting?
“Against Italian teams, it’s always tough matches, tomorrow will be a great challenge against Milan and we’ll need to be at 100%.”
The current level of the team?
“Obviously we can always improve, especially in the details. We will never say that we are happy and that everything is fine, I repeat we always try to work to grow and improve and we will do it from game to game.”
How much have Leverkusen changed in recent years?
“A lot has happened since then. Now we are at a level where we can compete with the best in Europe, we are in the Champions League…”
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What do you think after your stay despite the summer transfer rumours?
“I feel good here, I’ve adapted, I have a good relationship with everyone so I can say that everything is fine.”
Why is it difficult to face Italian teams?
“It’s difficult for everyone. They have a different style compared to the Bundesliga, very tactical and with great defences. It will always be a very high level, we will need very high concentration, we will have to be dominant in ball possession. Then [we must] be careful, because they are dangerous on the counter.”
What are your thoughts on the increasingly crowded fixture lists?
“There are more and more games… I like playing and competing with other teams, but I have to say that a limit is needed. Look at how many we are playing in these seasons, maintaining a high level is difficult also because the risk of injuries increases.”
