Xabi Alonso Doesn't Need Istanbul Magic Moment

LEVERKUSEN, MONDAY - Bayer Leverkusen may be three goals behind Bayern Munich after halfway through the Champions League round of 16. However, they do not really need a miracle like the one created by head coach Xabi Alonso when he was still playing at Liverpool.

Nearly two decades ago, a miracle happened in Istanbul. Liverpool were trailing 3-0 to AC Milan at half-time in the Champions League final. Rather than resign themselves to their fate, Liverpool rallied to equalize inside 45 minutes. They forced extra time, then won on penalties.

The story has been described as one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the competition. Alonso, aged 23 at the time, played a major role with a goal. The Spaniard faces a similar challenge this time, except he is in charge.

Leverkusen will host Bayern in the second leg at BayArena Stadium, Wednesday (12/3/2025) early morning WIB. Trailing 0-3 on aggregate, the hosts must win by three goals in 90 minutes to force extra time. "It's not over yet. The craziest thing has ever happened in football," said Alonso.

However, Alonso did not really need a magical moment in 2005. Liverpool's comeback in Istanbul with very little time and a broken mentality in a neutral stadium seemed impossible. Unlike Leverkusen who had a full game at home.

Leverkusen's squad has also experienced a big win over Bayern, only in a different competition. Last year, in February 2024, Alonso's team defeated Bayern 3-0 at home in a crucial match for the German League title.

Alonso just hopes that the players can forget the worst moments of the past week. "Two consecutive defeats are not something normal for us. We have to forget that as soon as possible. We have to believe in ourselves again, believe in what can happen (in the second match)," he said.

After losing at Bayern, Leverkusen were beaten 2-0 at home by Werder Bremen at the weekend. It was their first back-to-back defeats since the 2023-24 season. Alonso did rotate a lot of players, but defeat is still not a good thing.

Leverkusen are well capable of turning things around if they return to their best form. The problem is, aside from their confidence, they are also likely to lose their mainstay attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz. The player with the most goals and assists for the team was withdrawn due to injury in the last match.

Leverkusen veteran midfielder Granit Xhaka also showed great confidence. "If we can take an early lead in the second leg, then anything can happen. I will not give up. We can beat Bayern. We just have to give everything," he said.

Leverkusen just need to reduce individual errors. That's what caused them to lose badly to their rivals. Starting from goalkeeper Matej Kovar's blunder, full-back Nordi Mukiele's red card violation, to center-back Edmond Tapsoba's violation in the penalty box.

Prior to that match, Leverkusen had not lost to Bayern in their last six games under Alonso. They had recorded three wins and three draws. Wednesday's meeting will be the fifth time that Leverkusen and Bayern have met this season.

Bayern are the favourites to progress to the quarter-finals. However, their form is not so good either. Head coach Vincent Kompany's team was defeated 2-3 at home to VFL Bochum at the weekend. Their defense looks fragile against a team from the relegation zone.

Bayern will be without veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer who was injured in the first leg. 21-year-old Jonas Urbig will take over. Urbig is untested as Leverkusen failed to register a shot since the goalkeeper came on. He played the full game against Bochum.

The match against Leverkusen was Urbig's debut with Bayern's senior team. "I don't want to put pressure on him. We are used to using (substitute) players in every position. There were times without (Harry) Kane or (Joshua) Kimmich, now without Neuer," Kompany said.

For Kane who contributed two goals in the first meeting, his team must not be passive even though they are already three goals ahead. Bayern must come to win. "They will be confident they can turn things around. We must play with the same mindset (as at home)," he said.

There is only one certainty that can be taken from the second leg, namely that one of the German teams will be eliminated in the early stages of the knockout stages. On the other hand, the other remaining German team Borussia Dortmund must travel to Lille after failing to win at home. (AP/REUTERS)