Alonso: Atletico Madrid Defeat Is a Lesson for Future Matches
Xabi Alonso, head coach of Bayer Leverkusen, hopes that his team’s 2-1 loss to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League will serve as a lesson for upcoming matches.
Leverkusen had initially taken the lead through Piero Hincapié, but Atletico Madrid equalized with a goal from Julián Álvarez before Álvarez scored a dramatic second goal during injury time.
After the match, Alonso said, “We were strong until the end of the first half, but then Atletico gradually came back into the game, and we couldn’t find any positive moments.”
He added, “Today’s game was decided in a dramatic way. I believe we can use this experience for future matches.”
Jonathan Tah, Leverkusen’s defender, emphasized the need for the players to remain composed in such situations, stating, “We need to learn to stay calm in matches like this. We allowed ourselves to lose control.”
Leverkusen has at least secured a place in the playoff spots for the Round of 16 and still has a chance for direct qualification. The team will face Sparta Prague in their final group-stage match next Wednesday, following their Bundesliga clash with RB Leipzig on Saturday.
Bayern Munich currently leads the Bundesliga standings by four points ahead of defending champion Bayer Leverkusen.
Leverkusen trained in Real Madrid’s facilities earlier today before returning to Germany.
