Bayer Leverkusen Ready For Dangerous AC Milan – Says Xabi Alonso

Bayer Leverkusen expects a typically dangerous game against Italian opposition when they host AC Milan in the Champions Leaguethe Champions League and are honored to take on a team with a massive European pedigree, manager Xabi Alonso said on Monday.

Milan struggled initially this season, failing to secure a win in their first three matches.

Although they lost their Champions League game against Liverpool, they have since bounced back in the league, achieving three consecutive victories.

“It’s one of those games when 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 Tuesday’s game with Milan.

“An Italian team is always dangerous. They know how to have patience. They are ready to defend low or to play with possession.

“Milan don’t have to be dominant to be dangerous. Sometimes they have good possession, sometimes they have good counter-attacks.”

Milan is the most successful Italian side in the competition, with seven titles to their name, and the last time they lifted the trophy in 2007, Alonso was on the losing Liverpool team.

Two years prior, Alonso was a member of the Liverpool team that staged a remarkable comeback from a 3-0 deficit to defeat Milan in a penalty shootout, having scored the third goal that equalized the match.

“Fundamental for my career. After 20 years we still talk about that night,” Alonso said.

“Then two years later, we lost to Milan, but that victory in 2005 was incredible. It was 20 years ago, we have to think about tomorrow. Milan is still the history of the Champions League.

“I’ve always liked AC Milan, Arrigo Sacchi, Fabio Capello, and great players, and to play against them is a great honor for us.”

Bundesliga champions Leverkusen, who did not have Champions League football last season, made a successful start to the league phase of the competition with a 4-0 win at Feyenoord, and Alonso is thrilled about hosting Milan in their first home game.

“We’re excited that the Champions League is back in our stadium,” the manager said.

“That we’re back in this competition and that we’re playing our first home game against a huge club in the history of football.”