Leverkusen need a miracle to reach Champions League quarters, says Alonso

Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso thinks that his side will need a miracle to reach the quarter-final of the Champions League after losing 3-0 to Bayern Munich in the first leg of the round of 16.

The visitors had Nordi Mukiele sent off in the second half, while they also conceded from a Harry Kane penalty in the 75th minute on a night where everything went wrong for them.

“The second goal, the red card and the penalty, everything went in Bayern’s favour. That’s why we got this result,” Alonso told DAZN.

“We have to show a mature performance to control that better. The mistakes and details are important, but it’s a bitter evening for us… One goal more or less can make a big difference.

“We’ve seen that there are always big miracles in football and we almost need one now. But we’ll see… It’s football, it’s not the first time and there’s still a game at home.”

30 – Since missing his second penalty against France at the 2022 World Cup, Harry Kane has scored each of his last 30 penalties in all competitions (21 for Bayern Munich, 6 for England, 3 for Spurs). Absolution. pic.twitter.com/IZfO1BWeoz

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 6, 2025

Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany, meanwhile, spent little time enjoying his side’s win, seemingly in a bid to fight complacency with a trip to Leverkusen for the second leg coming next week.

“It’s the first half. We still have to get into the second game,” he said.

“There’s zero percent thinking about the course of the game or anything else. Total focus so that we’re good again in the next game.

“We’re staying calm, we’ve always reacted and shown that we’re ready for what lies ahead and that has to continue.”