Ahead of Leverkusen vs Milan: Alonso Anticipates Dangerous Match

Berlin, Beritasatu.com – Bayer Leverkusen anticipates a dangerous match against Italian club AC Milan in the Champions League, Wednesday (2/10/2024) early morning WIB. Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso, on Monday (30/9/2024) admitted that he felt honored to face a club with a great reputation in Europe, AC Milan.

Milan started this season badly, failing to win in the opening three matches of the 2024/2025 Italian Serie A League. Rossoneri as well and lost the Champions League match against Liverpool.

But then they managed to turn things around on the domestic scene with three consecutive wins. “This is one of those games where you have to play smart. With the ball, without the ball, you have to be patient, you have to be ready, you have to be focused,” Alonso told reporters before the match against Milan.

“Italian teams are always dangerous. They know how to be patient. They are ready to defend in low positions or play with possession. Milan don’t have to dominate to be dangerous. Sometimes they have the ball well, sometimes they have good counter-attacks,” he said.

Milan is the most successful Italian club in the Champions League with seven championship titles. The last time they lifted the trophy was in 2007, when Alonso was Liverpool’s losing player.

Two years earlier, Alonso was part of Liverpool’s dramatic comeback from 3-0 down to beat Milan on penalties. The Spanish coach scored the third goal to equalize.

“It was very important for my career. After 20 years, we still talk about that night,” said Alonso.

“Then two years later we lost to Milan, but the victory in 2005 was extraordinary. That happened 20 years ago, we have to think about tomorrow. Milan is still Champions League history,” he said.

“I have always liked AC Milan, Arrigo Sacchi, Fabio Capello and other great players. Playing against them is a great honor for us,” said Alonso.

Bundesliga champions Leverkusen, who did not play in the Champions League last season, got off to a successful start to the league phase of the competition thanks to a landslide 4-0 win at Feyenoord. Alonso is very happy to host Milan in their first home match.

“We are delighted that the Champions League is returning to our stadium,” he said.