By SABC Sport
24th December 2024
Andrich, known for his ever-changing hairstyles, believes his coach Xabi Alonso isn't a fan of his flamboyant looks. Over the years, Andrich has showcased everything from short pink hair at the European Championships to his current blonde locks.
"I don't think he likes it because he's rather old-fashioned. When I come in with a new color, I can tell by the look on his face that he thinks: 'Oh no, what's he done now'. But he doesn't say anything. As long as my performances are up to standard, it's fine," Andrich has said to Sport Bild.
He acknowledges the pressure that comes with standing out, particularly under the scrutiny of older coaches. "If you do things that may seem unusual, you have to perform better than others. That's a fact. That's the way football works," he has said.
Meanwhile, on the pitch, it was all about the dynamic play of teammate Florian Wirtz in Leverkusen's 5-1 thrashing of Freiburg. Wirtz, at just 21, scored one goal and provided three assists, despite missing an early penalty.
His performance left Freiburg's coach Julian Schuster and captain Christian Gunter in admiration.
"If I was 10 years old, I'd buy a shirt straight away. That's the kind quality you like to see when you're the coach of Leverkusen," Schuster has said in a post-match interview with Bild.
Gunter, who has played alongside Wirtz for the national team, shared his sentiments. "When you love football and can watch him, it's unbelievable what he is bringing to the pitch. It's crazy," Günter has said. "I played with him for the national team. I think it was three years ago. You could already see his potential then.
Obviously, as an opponent on this particular matchday, it really annoys me and I don't like to watch him play.
"But the guy is incredible, a blessing for football in Germany."
This weekend's games highlighted both the personal expressions of footballers like Andrich and the sheer talent of young stars like Wirtz, showcasing the multifaceted spectacle that is the Bundesliga.