Xabi Alonso faces something much bigger than AI - it's DI himself!

We're living in the world of artificial intelligence, which is becoming increasingly important, even essential for a wide range of professions. And football is not an exception.

AI has found its place in areas like game analysis, scouting services, trainings...

However, there are still a couple of those old-fashioned guys left, that just don't go with the flow. Take Dieter Hecking, for instance.

Bochum's boss is about to face Xabi Alonso and his Bayer Leverkusen in the next Bundesliga round opening match this Friday night (10.30 pm).

After a 1-1 draw in the first part of the season, the two sides meet again tonight at the ground of the defending champion.

Of course, Xabi Alonso's boys are massive favourites against the Bundesliga strugglers, who are flirting with relegation. Bochum have had quite a rollercoaster in recent weeks, recording wins, defeats and draws.

Their 60-year-old coach, Hecking, was asked ahead of the Leverkusen tie if he's using AI in his game's preparations.

And the dialogue between Hecking and a journalist was pure gold...

Journalist: "What's your day-to-day work like with AI (that's KI)? Do you use it?"

Dieter Hecking: "0.0"

Journalist: "Not even in training?"

Dieter Hecking: "No. I have the DI. Dieter's Intelligence."

So, let's see if Xabi Alonso can prevail against DI.

BUNDESLIGA - MATCHDAY 27

Friday

22.30: (1.28) Leverkusen (6.75) Bochum (10.5)

Saturday

17.30: (1.17) Bayern (7.50) St.Pauli (16.0)

17.30: (2.45) Hoffenheim (3.40) Augsburg (3.10)

17.30: (3.30) Holstein Kiel (3.80) Werder (2.15)

17.30: (3.05) M' gladbach (3.60) RB Leipzig (2.40)

17.30: (1.70) Wolfsburg (4.00) Heidenheim (4.90)

20.30: (2.45) Eintr.Frankfurt (3.45) Stuttgart (2.80)

Sunday

16.30: (2.00) Freiburg (3.40) Union Berlin (3.90)

18.30: (1.70) Dortmund (4.15) Mainz (4.90)

***odds are subject to change***