Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso wants to rein in his emotions in the witches’ cauldron in Budapest so as not to be suspended in the event of a possible advancement in the Europa League.
“I’ll check myself so I don’t get a ticket,” said the Spaniard the day before the round of 16 second leg at Ferencváros Budapest on Thursday (9:00 p.m. / RTL +). The Hungarian champions moved the game to the Puskás Aréna, which has a capacity of almost 70,000 spectators. This will probably be sold out, a heated mood is expected.
“The most important thing is that we even reach the quarter-finals. And if we do, hopefully I won’t be suspended,” said Alonso, who saw a yellow card in the Champions League preliminary round against Atlético Madrid and in the first leg. After the third warning he would be suspended for one game. Bayer won the first leg 2-0.