Alonso Admits Leverkusen Need 'big Miracle' To Overcome Bayern Defeat

Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso conceded that his team will need a big miracle to overturn their 3-0 deficit against Bayern Munich in the Champions League last-16 tie. Speaking after Wednesday's defeat at the Allianz Arena, Alonso pointed to his side's self-inflicted mistakes as the key reason for their heavy loss, which leaves them with a mountain to climb in the return leg.

Alonso, who famously helped Liverpool recover from 3-0 down against AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final, acknowledged the slim chances of replicating such a comeback. In football, weve seen big miracles quite often, and we almost need one, he admitted. We'll need some time to recover, but there's another game at home.

Despite arriving in Munich as slight favourites and unbeaten in their last six meetings with Bayern under Alonso, Leverkusen were outclassed. Their night started poorly when Harry Kane headed in Bayern's opener inside nine minutes.

Things worsened in the second half when Jamal Musiala capitalised on a goalkeeping error to double Bayern's lead, before Nordi Mukiele received a second yellow card, leaving Leverkusen with 10 men. Edmond Tapsoba's foul on Kane then gifted Bayern a penalty, which the England striker converted to all but seal the tie.

Asked by DAZN why his side failed to replicate their recent performances against Bayern, Alonso was blunt in his assessment. It was clear. We did it to ourselves. In the Champions League, the small details matter. The second goal, the red card, and the penalty - we handed Bayern everything they needed to win.