Xabi Alonso likens Alex Grimaldo’s technique to Juninho | OneFootball

Alex Grimaldo scored Bayer Leverkusen’s only goal in their 1-0 win against Mainz 05 on Tuesday night. The Spaniard hit a superb free-kick, lofting the ball over the wall from just outside the area and into the back of Robin Zentner’s goal to move Die Werkself to within one point of Bayern Munich.

Speaking after the game, Xabi Alonso heaped praise on Grimaldo, likening his free-kicks to Lyon’s Juninho, who is regarded as one of the best free-kick takers.

“I don’t know many players who have such a technique,” said Alonso. “There was a Brazilian who put that curve on the ball from such a short distance.”

It was just second goal of the season, adding to his four assists in the Bundesliga this campaign, but the Spaniard has been unable to replicate last season’s form.

Grimaldo scored 10 and created 15 in 33 Bundesliga games last season as Bayer Leverkusen clinched their maiden league title.

GGFN | Daniel Pinder