Manager Xabi Alonso stated on Monday that Bayer Leverkusen is delighted to play a team with such a strong European history and anticipates a traditionally dangerous matchup against Italian competition when they welcome AC Milan in the Champions League.
Milan started the season poorly, failing to win any of their first three games.
Although they lost their Champions League match against Liverpool, they have since rebounded with three straight wins at home.
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“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.”
With seven titles under their belt, Milan is the most successful Italian team in the competition.
Alonso was a member of the Liverpool team that lost that 2007 championship.
Alonso was a member of the Liverpool team that defeated Milan on penalties two years prior after mounting an incredible comeback from a 3-0 deficit.
The Spaniard scored the third goal to draw 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 honour for us.”
Alonso is excited about Leverkusen’s first-ever home match against Milan.
The Bundesliga champions, who did not play Champions League football the previous season, won 4-0 at Feyenoord to kick off the league round of the competition.
“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.”