Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso expressed confidence on Monday that his team could achieve an “epic” comeback against Bayern Munich in their Champions League last-16 return leg, despite trailing 3-0 from the first match and losing key player Florian Wirtz to injury.
Wirtz, who has been Leverkusen’s creative force in midfield this season, is out for “several weeks” with an ankle tendon injury sustained over the weekend, adding another challenge for the team ahead of Tuesday’s crucial clash. Despite their difficult position following a disappointing performance in the first leg, Alonso remained optimistic, saying his side had “nothing to lose.”
“Sometimes, from a big, difficult situation, something epic is created. Tomorrow, it could be an epic game for us. We know it’s not easy, but we must believe,” Alonso told reporters. “Only Bayern can lose something. One hundred percent of Bayern fans think they’re going to go through — we can only win. Many unexpected things happen in football.”
Alonso knows what it’s like to pull off a miraculous comeback, having been part of Liverpool’s iconic 2005 Champions League final, where they came from 3-0 down at halftime to level the score and eventually win on penalties. Alonso scored the equalizer that night in Istanbul after his penalty was saved.
“This game could be another dimension for us. It could stay with us, in our individual history, for a long time,” Alonso said. “We must play with passion, heart, aggression, and with our heads — it’s a chance we might not have again in our career.”
Reflecting on the team’s belief, Alonso added, “The team believes because we’ve done something more difficult. We won the Bundesliga last season without losing a game — for me, that’s more difficult. It’s all in, make or break, do it or we go home.”
Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah also shared the optimism, stating that the team feels the belief is there, and they see it as a chance to make history.
On the Bayern side, manager Vincent Kompany emphasized that his team would not settle for a draw, despite their commanding lead on aggregate. “When you’re Bayern coach, it’s mentally a bit easier. You always want to win. When we play a game, we go in with the goal of winning it,” Kompany said.
Kompany also wished Wirtz a speedy recovery and acknowledged Leverkusen’s strength, noting they had “plenty of other players with quality across the park.” However, Bayern are also facing their own challenge, as captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is sidelined with injury. Jonas Urbig, 21, will replace Neuer, making just his second start for Bayern in a high-stakes match.
It promises to be an intense and dramatic encounter as Leverkusen fights to defy the odds and secure a historic comeback.
