Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso believes his team’s dominant 4-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday was the ideal preparation for their highly anticipated Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich.
Leverkusen took full control early, scoring three goals in a blistering seven-minute spell in the first half. Apart from a defensive lapse, they were never troubled by third-placed Frankfurt, who had only lost once at home all season.
“I’m very happy, very proud,” Alonso said. “From the first whistle, we showed complete focus, both on and off the ball. It was a complete performance with a great scoreline—the perfect preparation for Wednesday night.”
With the first leg of their last-16 tie against Bayern looming, Alonso praised his side’s intensity and control.
“We played at a high tempo and kept good possession, especially in the first 35 minutes, against a strong opponent. It’s never easy against Eintracht, but we executed our plan well.”
Leverkusen now turn their attention to their all-German clash in Munich, marking the first time the two sides will meet in a major European competition.
“We are ready for the next challenge—against the best team in Germany,” Alonso said. “We’ll give everything. Are we favorites? No, we’re not foolish. This is Bayern, a club with six European Cups. They deserve respect, but we will compete.”
With Bayern holding a nine-point lead over Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, Wednesday’s encounter could be a defining moment in Alonso’s campaign.
