Alonso urges Leverkusen to bounce back from Champions League defeat to Bayern

Players from Bayer Leverkusen need to maintain a professional attitude and swiftly shift their focus following the disheartening 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, according to manager Xabi Alonso, who spoke on Friday ahead of a Bundesliga matchup against Werder Bremen.

On Wednesday, Leverkusen experienced their first loss to Bayern since Alonso took the helm in October 2022, putting a significant dent in their aspirations to progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Alonso emphasised that his team cannot afford to linger on their disappointment and urged them to redirect their efforts towards the Bundesliga, where reigning champions Leverkusen currently sit in second place, trailing Bayern by eight points.

“The atmosphere today is certainly more upbeat compared to yesterday. We’ve had our usual discussions, and it’s crucial that we remain professional and concentrate on the upcoming match,” Alonso informed reporters ahead of their home fixture against Werder on Saturday.

“Today marked our first and only training session to prepare for tomorrow. We take all competitions seriously, and now it’s time to focus on the Bundesliga. We’re in a position where there’s still plenty to play for, and everything remains up for grabs…”

“We’re accustomed to juggling between the Champions League and the Bundesliga, so this shouldn’t pose a challenge for us. We need fresh legs and a clear mindset, regardless of the opponent or the competition. Our aim is to give our all in every match.”

The Spanish coach indicated that midfielder Robert Andrich is unlikely to be available for the clash against 12th-placed Werder, adding, “He’s still battling the flu and isn’t feeling his best yet.”

After facing Werder, Leverkusen will host Bayern in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday.

“We require more energy and clarity for this upcoming fixture,” Alonso stated.