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Following his side’ 3-0 defeat to Bayern in the first leg of the Ro16 UCL clash, Alonso opined that his side would require a miracle at home if they are to advance to the quarters of the competition but added that such turn-arounds have occurred…Read More
Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso. (X)
Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich picked up a 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round OF 16 clash on Wednesday to seize the upper hand against the German champions in the revamped edition of the elite European competition.
Harry Kane netted twice, on either side of a Jamal Musiala strike, to give his side a three-goal cushion to take into the away leg when the Bavarian giants travel to the BayArena for the return fixture.
To make things worse for the Bundesliga champions, Nordi Mukiele was given the marching orders around the hour mark and Leverkusen had to make do with ten men on the pitch for the remainder of the game. Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso felt that a lot of decisions and moments went the way of Munich which all led to the unfavourable result.
“The second goal, the red card and the penalty — everything went in Bayern’s favour. And that’s why we got this result,” Alonso said.
“We have to show a mature performance to control that better,” he added.
“The mistakes and details are important, but it’s a bitter evening for us. One goal more or less can make a big difference,” the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich star revealed.
Alonso went on to state that his side would require a miracle at home if they are to advance to the quarters of the competition but added that such turn-arounds have occurred on the football pitch.
“We’ve seen that there are always big miracles in football, and we almost need one now,” the 43-year-old said.
“But we’ll see. It’s football, it’s not the first time, and there’s still a game at home,” he added.
Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany also expressed caution despite the significant advantage as he opined that his side were yet to completely pass the challenge and that they have to be on fleek in the return leg as well to seal their place in the last eight of the competition.
“It’s the first half. We still have to get into the second game,” Kompany said.
“There’s zero percent thinking about the course of the game or anything else. Total focus so that we’re good again in the next game,” he added.
“We’re staying calm, we’ve always reacted and shown that we’re ready for what lies ahead — and that has to continue,” the 38-year-old stated.
