Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has called on his Bayer Leverkusen team to summon upon the "Miracle of Istanbul" as they look to recover a 3-0 deficit against Bayern Munich.
Head coach Xabi Alonso of Bayer 04 Leverkusen looks on
Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso will need to mastermind a stunning comeback against Bayern Munich next week
Xabi Alonso has backed his Bayer Leverkusen team to repeat Liverpool's famous "Miracle of Istanbul" as they look to recover a 3-0 deficit against Bayern Munich in the Champions League last 16. A Jamal Musiala goal and a Harry Kane brace have left Alonso's team with a mountain to climb for the second leg in Leverkusen next week.
To add salt to Leverkusen's wounds, key defender Nordi Mukiele was also shown a red card and will miss the return fixture on Tuesday, March 11. But former Liverpool midfielder Alonso still holds hope for his team.
The Spaniard remained confident in his post-match press conference when asked if his team could repeat the "Miracle of Istanbul". The phrase references Liverpool's 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan when the Reds came back from 3-0 down to win.
"Absolutely," Alonso replied. "It will take time to analyse and go through this result because we have been beaten well. Everything went against us because of us.
"But it is not over until it is over and, as you said, anything can happen. The mindset has to be that and if there is a chance, we will fight for it. We have to fight back.
"We will learn from this and believe in our return leg. We don't give up so easily. Three goals? You never know. One goal can change anything."
Reports in November claimed that the former midfielder will leave Leverkusen at the end of the 2024/25 campaign as he seeks a new challenge. Alonso was heavily linked with succeeding Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool before Arne Slot was handed the job in May last year.