Coach Xabi Alonso from Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen sees his team facing a “big challenge” in the top game against Bayern Munich on Saturday (6:30 p.m./Sky).
“We need an almost perfect performance to have a chance,” said the Spaniard on Friday: “We are aware that it will be very, very difficult.”
Alonso emphasized that the fact that the Munich team recently had to deal with major personnel problems was not an advantage. The former Bayern professional said he expects “a strong opponent” with “the highest individual quality.”
Bayern have “this winning DNA, that’s why they are the best team in Germany.” According to Alonso, the fact that the record champions could overtake Leverkusen and take the lead in the table with a win does not really increase the pressure.
“There are still many games until the end of the season, our goal is to keep the energy up,” said the 42-year-old, who will once again be without midfielder Exequiel Palacios in the home game. It was “still too early to take the risk,” said Alonso: “Of course the game is important, but we have enough players.”