Alonso: We Must Defeat Atletico
Xabi Alonso, the coach of Bayer Leverkusen, stated that his team needs to play with aggression to beat Atletico Madrid on Tuesday and edge closer to direct qualification for the Champions League round of 16.
Leverkusen, under Alonso’s leadership, is currently in fourth place with 13 points. The top 8 teams in the Champions League group stage will qualify directly for the knockout round, while the next 16 teams will enter a playoff for a spot in the next stage.
Atletico, led by Diego Simeone, is in 11th place, just one point behind Leverkusen. A win on Tuesday will put either team in an excellent position as the final match approaches.
Alonso commented in a press conference on Monday: “We want to be in the top eight. That’s our short-term goal. We’re close, but not quite there yet. We need to fight for that, and winning tomorrow’s game is crucial for us… and for them as well. We need to wait and see how things unfold. If we don’t score, it will be much more difficult. We must give our all and fight to win at any cost because we have a big chance.”
He continued: “The clearer our understanding of the match and the timing needed, the better. We all know what the atmosphere at the Metropolitano is like in games like this, and we need to manage that, prepare for the pressure. The team (Leverkusen) is in a good place. The players are convinced about what we are doing.”
The reigning German double champions enter the match at Atletico’s stadium after winning 11 consecutive matches in all competitions. They sit second in the Bundesliga, four points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
However, Alonso praised Atletico, who had been on a 15-match winning streak before their surprise 1-0 loss to Leganes on Saturday, ending their run.
Atletico is second in La Liga, two points behind Real Madrid and five points ahead of third-placed Barcelona.
Alonso added: “Both teams are in good form. Atletico, despite their last defeat, are in great shape, and you can see many reasons why they are so strong. This could be Atletico’s best team in the last ten years. They are able to rotate players in all three competitions and still perform well. They are ready to achieve big things. In La Liga, they will fight until the end, and in the Copa del Rey, they are in the quarterfinals (against Getafe), so tomorrow will be a very tough challenge.”
Alonso denied rumors linking him to a future role at Real Madrid, where he played for five seasons and won several titles, including the 2014 UEFA Champions League.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is under intense pressure after his team’s 5-2 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup earlier this month, with some fans booing him and his team during their 1-0 win over Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey last Thursday.
Alonso said: “I can’t tell you anything. We’re in the middle of the season, and all clubs have big goals. The affection I have for Real Madrid hasn’t faded. It’s a relationship I’ll never forget, and I’m very grateful for it. I have a very strong bond with them. It was a beautiful time for me as a player… we fought to get what we wanted, and the celebrations were incredible. Rumors don’t bother me or surprise me. I’m ready for them. Being rumored to coach Real Madrid is an honor for me, but I’m focusing only on tomorrow’s game against Atletico. We have a big task ahead.”
