Odilon Kossounou Discusses Leverkusen’s Title Aspirations and Defensive Strengths
Bayer Leverkusen’s defensive linchpin, Odilon Kossounou, has been a constant presence at the heart of their backline this season. As the team prepares for a crucial test against Borussia Dortmund, Kossounou shares insights into the club’s playing style, defensive solidarity, and the upcoming challenges in a candid interview with bundesliga.com.
Building Attractive and Solid Football:
Leverkusen’s ability to play attractive attacking football while maintaining defensive solidity hasn’t happened overnight. Kossounou attributes this to years of collective effort and a newfound system under coach Xabi Alonso. With a core group of players having shared the field for over three years, the team’s familiarity with each other and the coach’s system allows them to defend cohesively and attack freely.
Special Bond in the Back Three:
The defensive trio of Kossounou, Jonathan Tah, and Edmond Tapsoba has a unique connection. With Tapsoba hailing from Burkina Faso and Tah having dual German-Ivorian nationality like Kossounou, their shared French language facilitates effective on-field communication. This linguistic bond contributes to their strong defensive partnership and understanding.
Consistent High-Level Performance:
Kossounou credits his consistent high-level performance this season to hard work and the suitability of the coach’s system. The Ivorian international emphasizes his contributions both defensively and offensively, highlighting the importance of positioning on the pitch. Kossounou’s comfort in Alonso’s system allows him to showcase his strengths consistently.
Friendly Competition:
When asked about the speed in the back three, Kossounou modestly claims to be the quickest, particularly adept at chasing balls played behind the defense. The friendly competition among the trio adds a healthy dynamic to Leverkusen’s defensive setup.
Joy of Scoring:
Reflecting on his recent Bundesliga goal, Kossounou expresses immense joy. Having been with Leverkusen for three years, scoring his first Bundesliga goal provided a significant boost in confidence and energy.
Anticipating the Dortmund Clash:
Looking ahead to the upcoming match against Borussia Dortmund, Kossounou acknowledges the challenge posed by a formidable opponent. Leverkusen recognizes Dortmund as one of Germany’s prominent clubs, making the fixture inherently difficult. However, Kossounou emphasizes Leverkusen’s maturity this season, showcasing resilience both with and without the ball. Anticipating an open game, he believes in Leverkusen’s strengths and the support of the home crowd to secure a positive result.
Seasonal Energy Shift:
Commenting on the energy around the team this season, Kossounou notes that it’s a culmination of years of development. The cohesion within the squad, built over an extended period, combined with new arrivals like Granit Xhaka and Alejandro Grimaldo, contributes to a unified and energetic team spirit.
As Bayer Leverkusen gears up for crucial encounters, Kossounou’s insights offer a glimpse into the team’s mindset, strengths, and aspirations in their pursuit of Bundesliga glory.
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By- Sahiba Suri