Lukáš Hrádecký: "We'll need to up our game against Bayern Munich"
As reigning Bundesliga champions, Bayer Leverkusen enter this weekend's clash against Bayern Munich in a strong position. Ahead of the encounter, Werkself captain Lukáš Hrádecký spoke to bundesliga.com about the visit to the Allianz Arena and how it feels to be the Meisterschale holders...
bundesliga.com: You started the campaign as reigning Bundesliga champions. What is it like to be hunted instead of doing the hunting yourselves?
Hrádecký: "To be honest, I don't know if anyone even thinks about that. We know we won the title last term, but we want to repeat it and go for it again. That means we need to beat a lot of teams and win a lot of games."
bundesliga.com: Bayern are up next. How are you feeling ahead of this huge clash?
Hrádecký: "These games are always very special. It's a bit of a different situation to last season. We are all used to Bayern being champions, and this time, we are the ones who need to be beaten, to be dethroned. I think that gives Bayern even more motivation to win. Of course, we will try our best to make sure that doesn't and instead win ourselves."
bundesliga.com: What do you expect from this clash given your results against them last year? In the first game, you scored a late equaliser, while in the second, you won by a clear margin.
Hrádecký: "First of all, they've started the season well and they've impressed me a lot. It's going to be a tough one. All of their new players have been performing well, and it will also be first against second in the table. We go there as challengers, like always. There's a difference between playing them at home and away, and the Allianz Arena is a tough place to go to. Last year, we made a sensational comeback in the final minutes. I wouldn't have anything against that happening again, but I hope we don't have to chase a result this time. I hope we will be the ones in front, and the onus will instead be on Bayern. We'll see, but it will be a great game, for sure."
Watch: How Xabi Alonso has got the better of Bayern Munich so far
bundesliga: Bayern have a new coach in Vincent Kompany. Have you seen any changes in the way they play?
Hrádecký: "All of us can see the intensity and tempo in their game. They're on another level in that respect, so we need to be really wary of their pressing. They've also shown plenty of efficiency, scoring five in Bremen, six in Kiel, and nine versus Zagreb. They are so strong up front, and we have to take that into consideration and stand firm against it.
"We've had some defensive problems recently, so I hope we're going to up our game. We all know it's going to be a top game, so everyone will be ready. It's also nice that it's going to be played after a week where neither team have played in Europe, so I think both of us will be fully prepared for the clash. May the best team win."
bundesliga.com: Have there been many changes from your own boss, Xabi Alonso, since winning the league in May?
Hrádecký: "Football is always about changing. You always have to adapt, and we also have some new players. That immediately brings some new variation into our game in terms of positioning and how they play. But that's where the coach is very good. He recognises in which position and what kind of way players want to play. Everything evolves, but the fundamentals are still there. That's what has happened since he arrived, basically. There are just some small things we need to change based on the opponent, like how we’re going to play and whether we'll be a bit more laid back and look to counter, for example. But the coach never stops giving his all to help the team perform to its best ability."
bundesliga.com: How does Alonso relate to the players on a personal level?
Hrádecký: "That's one of his qualities. He's a very communicative and down-to-earth kind of guy. You get so many tips from him. Of course, we all play in different positions, but the midfielders, in particular, have learned so much from him. I think he's managed to keep everyone happy, which is important in football. With big egos around the changing room, it's not something you should take for granted, and he does it very well. He is tactically very strong and very committed, but what stands out for me is how, overall, he takes care of everyone in day-to-day life."
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bundesliga.com: You previously mentioned Leverkusen's defensive struggles. What needs to be done to stop conceding so frequently?
Hrádecký: "I think it's a collective thing. We need to reduce the amount of individual mistakes, though. We all make them, but we need to be closer to each other and have each other's backs. Also, at this level, you need to stay hungry. You need to do the basics well game in, game out. We've maybe been lacking a little in terms of concentration - we need to be on it all the time. The quality is there, but we need to be more focused and not just think we are good enough to beat everyone."
bundesliga: How can you stop someone like Harry Kane from scoring?
Hrádecký: "I don't think you can completely stop him. He's in very good form at the moment. We lost to him and England with Finland a couple of weeks ago. He scored two against me, and I said in an interview after the game that I hoped those would be the only two goals he would score against me this year. I will try to do my part, but with a world-class striker like him, you can't completely stop him. We will need the whole team, the whole defensive line as a collective, to stop whoever it is – Kane, Michael Olise, Leroy Sané, Serge Gnabry, I could keep on going with that list. It will be a big challenge, so we have to be very strong at the back."
bundesliga.com What do you think of Thomas Müller as a player and as a person?
Hrádecký: "I love him. He’s very authentic. I think we are similar in that respect – we don't hide who we are. What was the record he set? Over 700 appearances for Bayern? I can't remember the exact number of games. It's an unbelievable number at such a high level. He is a club legend and a living legend, and he will definitely be someone we need to stop. The way he moves on the pitch is very intelligent. He is very smart, and he's one of many we need to stop."
Watch: Quiz Time for Müller & Hrádecký
bundesliga.com: In Florian Wirtz, you have your own generational talent, and he looks even better than he did last season. Do you think winning the title last season has given him a boost?
Hrádecký: "At this level, and Flo is always hungry for more, then yes, it gave everyone a taste of how fun winning can be. I think you can see it not just in Flo's game, but everyone else's too. We definitely want more, and we are never satisfied. Last year was fantastic, but we haven't been our best defensively, so we want to get that back to our best and compete for the title again."
bundesliga.com: When we spoke last year, we talked about the late goals you scored. You said that you were getting too old for that drama, but it seems not much has changed...
Hrádecký: "I can't remember what I answered back then, but it's a process and when you have the ball for 90 minutes and control the game, the other team gets more and more tired as the final whistle approaches. It's therefore kind of logical, a lot of goals are scored in the final minutes. But yes, it's very nice that we haven't lost this quality to score late on."
Watch: Jamal Musiala vs. Florian Wirtz: A duel of midfield magicians
bundesliga.com: Finally, at Leverkusen, Bayern, and Borussia Dortmund, there are three coaches who share many similarities - they are all of a similar age, have all played at the highest level, and all quickly ended up at top teams in the dugout after retiring. Is this a coincidence, or are we witnessing a new trend?
Hrádecký: "They are three legends of the game. Of course, what they achieved as players means they know a lot, and each of them has played under many great coaches too, which has probably helped them. I think it's very good for the Bundesliga to have big names not only on the pitch but also on the bench.
"It's makes the league very attractive. Kompany is doing a good job and Alonso has left his mark both on the Bundesliga and the world stage - the same for Nuri Şahin. It's only the beginning for two of the coaches, so there is a lot to discover. But yes, like I said, it's very attractive for all of us who are fans of the Bundesliga."
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