Ken Izekor makes history
The shadow of the Africa Cup leaves Alonso ice cold
December 15, 2023, 8:05 a.m
If Bayer Leverkusen can be stopped this season, it will only be by releasing players for the Africa Cup. Many competitors think that way. But coach Xabi Alonso’s squad is also strong in terms of width. The coach holds his footballers responsible for the games before the break.
The third goalkeeper played for the first time in almost three years, an 18-year-old was involved in two goals and in the end a 16-year-old became the youngest German in Europa League history: In terms of sport, it was the end of the preliminary round for Bayer Leverkusen against Molde FK was just about completing the perfect group phase. But the sign of another furious 5-1 victory could not be underestimated, both internally and externally. Because it was said: Bayer has much more than just a strong first eleven.
“It makes us strong that we have so many people behind us who are dying to play,” said Robert Andrich, himself currently mostly just a substitute, although he became a national player in the fall. Coach Xabi Alonso made nine substitutions against Molde. He handed out rewards like those to goalkeeper Niklas Lomb or the 18-year-old Noah Mbamba and the just 16-year-old Ken Izekor. Stars like Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Victor Boniface and Jeremie Frimpong were allowed to rest for 90 minutes. Nevertheless, even in this constellation, Bayer celebrated real fun football, in which the Norwegian Cup winner was just a sparring partner.
A lot of praise for a 16 year old
And so it was easily possible that Izekor was allowed to make history. The youngster celebrated his professional debut at the age of 16 years and 204 days – becoming the youngest German player to ever appear in a game in the Europa League or UEFA Cup. The offensive jewel came on as a substitute for Edmond Tapsoba in the 77th minute, replacing a prominent predecessor. Previously, U21 national striker Youssoufa Moukoko from Borussia Dortmund held the record at 17 years and 89 days. Izekor is also the youngest Leverkusen player to ever play in a competitive game.
“He did very well. Three or four good actions,” said coach Xabi Alonso. Izekor is “dangerous, very strong, very fast.” National player Robert Andrich also admitted that the 1.77 meter tall center forward looks “a bit further along physically”. In the current season, Izekor contributed one goal and one assist in nine games for the Werkself U19s. The Aachen native with Nigerian roots also made his debut in the U17 national team in September. Good for those who still have such options.
“I’m not crying. I’m not a victim”
And this sign of the squad’s breadth is so important because the competition – as BVB coach Edin Terzić recently bluntly revealed – has only one real hope against Leverkusen’s run of 20 wins in 23 competitive games without defeat: that Bayer will go into a tailspin if From January up to five stars will be missing because of the Africa Cup of Nations. Boniface, Tapsoba, Odilon Kossounou, Amine Adli or Nathan Tella could miss the cup quarter-finals against Stuttgart or important league games like in Leipzig or against Bayern.
“I’m not crying. I’m not a victim,” said Alonso: “We have enough players.” Sports director Simon Rolfes explained: “We have always said that we have many, many good players. The team enjoys playing football. No matter who comes in. Let’s wait and see who is nominated for the Africa Cup in the end how long they’ll be missing. But those who are there are all at a very, very good level.”
But Alonso doesn’t want to end the year relaxed after the perfect preliminary round. The gaze immediately turned to the front. “Eintracht and Bochum. We have to end this week at full throttle and full of energy.” With another two wins against Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday (5.30 p.m./DAZN) and VfL Bochum on Wednesday (8.30 p.m./Sky, also in the ntv.de live ticker) Bayer would not only maintain their lead in the table over Bayern Munich, but would also be able to “enjoy Christmas even more,” said Alonso.