Leverkusen Aims For Victory In Champions League Match Against Atletico Madrid, Says Xabi Alonso

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Bayer Leverkusen's manager, Xabi Alonso, emphasised the importance of their upcoming Champions League match against Atletico Madrid. Leverkusen currently sits fourth in the new 36-team format. A victory on Tuesday could significantly boost their chances of automatic qualification for the knockout stages. The team has been performing exceptionally well, securing 11 consecutive wins across all competitions as they pursue Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.

Atletico Madrid, under Diego Simeone, also harbours ambitions in the Champions League. Despite being 11th in the standings, they are only a point behind Leverkusen. "We want to be in the top eight," Alonso stated during a press conference on Monday. "That's our short-term goal. We're close, but not that close. We have to fight for it and winning tomorrow's match is fundamental for us... but for them too."

Leverkusen has impressed defensively in the Champions League this season. They have won four games without conceding a goal, second only to Liverpool's five. Since last season, only Atalanta has kept more clean sheets (10) than Leverkusen's nine in major European competitions. Alonso stressed the importance of scoring against Atletico to ease their path to victory.

"If we don't score, it will be more difficult," Alonso noted. "We need to give our best and fight for the win at any cost because we have a great chance in front of us." He highlighted the need for his team to understand the demands of the match and manage the pressure at Metropolitano Stadium effectively.

Atletico Madrid had been enjoying a strong run before their recent loss to Leganes on Saturday. Simeone's squad had won each of their last 15 matches across all competitions. They are currently second in LaLiga, trailing Real Madrid by two points after Real's victory over Las Palmas propelled them to first place.

"We are both in a good moment," Alonso added regarding Atletico's form. "Despite their last defeat, they are in a great vein of form, and you see many reasons why they are so strong." He acknowledged that Atletico might possess one of their best squads in recent years, capable of rotating players effectively across all three competitions.

Alonso Addresses Real Madrid Rumours

Alonso also addressed speculation linking him with a return to Real Madrid, where he enjoyed significant success as a player with five major honours over 236 appearances. Current Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is under scrutiny following a heavy defeat by Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final earlier this month.

"I can't tell you anything," Alonso said about the rumours. "We are in the middle of the season and all clubs have big objectives." He expressed gratitude for his time at Real Madrid, describing it as an unforgettable period filled with intense moments and celebrations.

Alonso concluded by saying that while it's an honour to be mentioned regarding Real Madrid, his focus remains firmly on Leverkusen's upcoming match against Atletico Madrid: "I'm worried about the match against Atleti; we've got enough on our plate."