Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso stated protecting a cool head can be the key to creating his facet’s latest dominance of Bayern Munich rely within the Champions League final 16.
Managing within the high flight for only a second full season, Alonso could also be inexperienced in teaching phrases, however the Spaniard is aware of a factor or two about Champions League success from his taking part in days.
Alonso received the Champions League with each Liverpool and Actual Madrid. Throughout a profession during which he additionally spent three seasons at Bayern, he reached the ultimate 3 times and the semi-finals on an additional six events.
On high of his membership honours, Alonso additionally received two European Championships with Spain and the 2010 World Cup.
Underneath Alonso, who took over in October 2022, Leverkusen have by no means misplaced to Bayern, successful three video games and drawing the opposite three.
However with this the primary assembly on the European stage — and with this season’s remaining in Munich — Alonso’s huge match expertise might show essential for Leverkusen.
On Saturday, Bayer Leverkusen thumped Eintracht Frankfurt 4-1 to remain eight factors behind Bayern and maintain their slim hopes alive of defending their Bundesliga title.
Talking after the match, Alonso stated home dominance meant little when the Champions League anthem soars by way of the stadium audio system.
“It does not matter. The subsequent sport is at all times a very powerful. It will likely be brutally troublesome for us and it will be an enormous problem.
“We’re in kind. We need to present once more we are able to carry the struggle to Bayern. However we additionally know the Champions League and Bundesliga are completely totally different.
“The Champions League is a little more emotional. Emotional management is most necessary.
“5 dangerous minutes, and also you’re gone.”
– ‘Take care of the dangerous moments’ –
Leverkusen’s greatest has been excellent this season, however a failure to maintain their feelings in examine has already price Alonso’s facet.
Away in opposition to Atletico Madrid, Leverkusen had been the higher facet however misplaced after falling prey to Diego Simeone’s wily group.
A purpose up at half-time and taking part in in opposition to 10 males, Leverkusen let their feelings get the higher of them, ending a person down themselves and conceding a Julian Alvarez winner within the ninetieth minute.
Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka, revitalised after leaving Arsenal two years in the past for a return to Germany, stated stability can be the important thing.
“I feel we’re steady sufficient to upset Bayern,” stated Xhaka.
“Within the league, let’s have a look at the place issues are after 34 matchdays. However there’s undoubtedly so much to be gained within the Champions League.”
Whereas Bayern are six-time European champions, Leverkusen’s greatest efficiency within the competitors got here after they completed runners-up to Actual Madrid in 2002.
However they hope to compensate for a relative lack of European pedigree by drawing on the boldness gleaned from previous encounters with Bayern throughout Alonso’s tenure.
“We all know one another very effectively and we have performed just lately,” stated Alonso.
“We have to attempt to take care of the dangerous moments we’d have, as a result of that is the Champions League, to undergo troublesome moments and never make many errors.
“We’re taking part in on the Allianz, then we play at house. It is Bayern, they’re the very best group in Germany.
“Not at all times the very best group wins, however we are going to see.”
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