Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is hoping for “something epic” in their bid to overturn their three-goal deficit against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League round of 16, Afrosport reports.
The reigning Bundesliga champions lost 3-0 in the first leg at the Allianz Arena and also finished with 10 men after Nordi Mukiele was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Leverkusen’s woes have been further compounded after star player Florian Wirtz limped off after 14 minutes in Saturday’s 2-0 home loss to Werder Bremen and will be unavailable for the tie.
The pharmaceutical-backed club have not reached the Champions League quarter-finals since their run to the final in 2002 when they lost to Real Madrid.
Despite the odds being against them, Xabi Alonso believes anything is possible
“Sometimes, from a big, difficult situation, something epic is created. Tomorrow, it could be an epic game for us. We know it’s not easy, but we must believe,” the Spaniard said.
“Only Bayern can lose something. One hundred per cent of Bayern fans think they’re going to go through – we can only win. Many unexpected things happen in football.
“This game could be another dimension for us. It could stay with us, in our individual history, for a long time.
“We must play with passion, heart, aggression and intelligence – it’s a chance we might not have again in our careers.”
🗣️ Xabi’s word for tomorrow is believe. pic.twitter.com/SIFH1yZUEB
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) March 10, 2025
He added: “The team believes because we’ve done something even more difficult. We won the Bundesliga last season without losing a game – for me, that’s more difficult. “It’s all in, make or break, do it or we go home.”
Xabi Alonso was part of the Liverpool team that famously came from three goals down against AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final to draw 3-3 and win 3-2 on penalties.
