Can Leverkusen Pull Off a Champions League Miracle? Alonso Believes!

Bayer Leverkusen faces a daunting task: overturning a 3-0 deficit against Bayern Munich in the Champions League Round of 16. To make matters worse, they’ll be without their star player, Florian Wirtz. But manager Xabi Alonso is preaching belief. Can they pull off a historic comeback?

Key Takeaways:

• Leverkusen needs to score at least 3 goals to tie the game and more to win.
• Star player Florian Wirtz is out injured.
• Xabi Alonso is drawing inspiration from historic comebacks.
• Bayern Munich’s recent form has been shaky.

Echoes of the Past: Can Leverkusen Channel the Spirit of ’88?

Remember 1988? Bayer Leverkusen, then a UEFA Cup contender, faced a similar challenge against Espanyol Barcelona. After losing the first leg 3-0, they roared back with a 3-0 victory at home, eventually winning on penalties. The stadium was different, the players were different, but the never-say-die attitude remains. Can they replicate that magic?

Alonso’s Liverpool Inspiration: Istanbul and Beyond

Xabi Alonso himself knows a thing or two about improbable comebacks. As a player for Liverpool, he was part of the legendary 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan, where the Reds overcame a 3-0 halftime deficit to win on penalties. Alonso even scored a crucial penalty in that game! He’ll be hoping to instill that same belief in his Leverkusen squad.

Wirtz Out: A Test of Leverkusen’s Depth

The injury to Florian Wirtz is a massive blow. Many consider him the best player in Germany. However, Alonso sees this as an opportunity for the rest of the team to step up. “It’s a good moment to show that we are a complete team,” he declared.

Historical Comebacks: A Source of Hope

Leverkusen can look to other epic European comebacks for inspiration. Think of Barcelona’s 6-1 victory over PSG after losing the first leg 4-0. Or Liverpool’s stunning 4-0 win against Barcelona after a 3-0 first-leg defeat. These examples prove that anything is possible in football.

Bayern’s Stumble: A Glimmer of Hope?

Bayern Munich’s recent form hasn’t been perfect. They recently dropped points against Bochum, giving Leverkusen a sliver of hope. However, Bayern are still a formidable opponent, and Leverkusen will need to be at their absolute best to have any chance of success.

Alonso’s Tactics: The Key to Unlocking Bayern?

Will Alonso go with a traditional striker like Patrik Schick or Victor Boniface? Or will he stick with the fluid attacking system that has served them well this season? His tactical decisions will be crucial.

Xhaka’s Fitness: A Worrying Sign?

There are concerns about the fitness of Granit Xhaka, a key player in Leverkusen’s midfield. If he’s ruled out, it would be another setback for Alonso’s side.

“It Can Be an Epic Game”

Despite the challenges, Xabi Alonso remains optimistic. “It can be an epic game,” he said. Whether Leverkusen can pull off the impossible remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: it will be a night to remember.

Possible Lineup