UCL: Alonso eyes “Miracle of Istanbul” to overcome Bayern Munich

 Bayer Leverkusen supervisor Xabi Alonso should draw inspiration from Liverpool’s “Miracle of Istanbul” within the 2005 Champions League ultimate, the place he performed a vital position in overturning a 3-0 deficit in opposition to Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

Alonso, then a Liverpool midfielder, scored the equalising purpose within the 2005 Champions League ultimate because the Reds rallied from 3-0 down at halftime to attract 3-3 with AC Milan, finally profitable on penalties.
Now, as Leverkusen supervisor, he faces the same problem after his staff’s 3-0 loss to Bayern in Munich within the first leg of their Champions League final 16 tie.

Leverkusen, the defending German champions who had remained unbeaten in opposition to Bayern underneath Alonso, suffered a “self-inflicted” defeat in Munich, in response to the Basque coach.

Including to Leverkusen’s woes is the potential damage to key midfielder Florian Wirtz, who limped off the sector on Saturday.

Regardless of Bayern having extra strain to carry out with the ultimate being held in Munich, Leverkusen’s first-leg capitulation has put them in a troublesome place.

Leverkusen hasn’t reached the Champions League quarter-finals since their 2002 ultimate look. Alonso, a two-time Champions League winner as a participant, acknowledges the magnitude of the duty however believes something is feasible.

“After this sport, we’ll want a bit extra time so we are able to recover- in soccer, we’ve seen huge miracles very often and we nearly want one,” Alonso mentioned. “It’s soccer, it’s not my first time (in opposition to the percentages), and there’s one other sport at house.”

Though comparatively new to top-level teaching, Alonso has already demonstrated his means to attain outstanding feats with Leverkusen. Taking on when the membership was going through relegation in October 2022, he shortly reworked their fortunes, main them to victories, together with a 2-1 win over Bayern.

The next season, Alonso guided Leverkusen to an unprecedented unbeaten league and cup double and a Europa League ultimate look. Their Europa League ultimate defeat was Leverkusen’s solely loss in 53 video games final season.

Leverkusen’s resilience, highlighted by their 17 stoppage-time targets throughout all competitions, showcases a staff that fights till the ultimate whistle.

With historical past stacked in opposition to them, Leverkusen will want a preventing spirit and a contact of Istanbul magic to face an opportunity in opposition to Bayern on Tuesday.