Champions League: catch -up without Wirtz? Bayer hopes for Bayern-Schreck Alonso

Despite the Wirtz shock, Bayer Leverkusen hopes for a football miracle, the Munich people set peace and the “Bayern-DNA”. The roles could not be more opposite in part two of the round of 16 in the Champions League. The Doublesieger needs a sensation after the first leg and injury of world-class soccer player Florian Wirtz. Bayern can actually book their quarter-final trip. Or not?

Bayer coach Xabi Alonso did not give up. He wants to become a Munich fright again. “We have to believe in ourselves. If we don’t, we have no chance. And we want a chance,” says the 43-year-old. After the false 0: 3 from the first leg for Leverkusen, it sounds like a stale slogan. But if a German team can succeed in such a furious catch -up, then probably the Leverkusen.

Wirtz fails for several weeks

However, the task also makes it extremely difficult that they lack difference players Wirtz. The 21-year-old is probably spared the feared seasonal off. The Bayern game, the upcoming league game at VfB Stuttgart and the journey to the national team for the Nation League duel with Italy, definitely misses Wirtz due to an inner ligament injury in the right ankle.

“The failure of Florian naturally meets us in this phase of the season, but we will catch it with a strong team,” says sports manager Simon Rolfes. This must now succeed against the currently best German team, the sovereign Bundesliga leader around Jamal Musiala as another DFB magic foot.

Bayer 04 can take courage to look at the more and the recent past. Leverkusen also celebrated his greatest international success after a 0: 3. In 1988 the Werkelf lost the final first leg in the UEFA Cup near Espanyol Barcelona. Leverkusen still won the trophy. And that’s not all.

The most difficult phase for Alonso at Master Bayer

“We know that there is still a chance to progress,” says defense chief Jonathan Tah. “It is a huge challenge, we are aware of it. But we know what the last games against Bayern were and that we have the opportunity to pose problems.”

Leverkusen has not lost six times under Alonso against the record champion. Then came the first leg. For the Basque coach, it was the first big crack in his previously successful Bavarian era. Alonso had gambled, had to put up with criticism of his line -up. On Saturday the 0: 2 against Werder Bremen followed in the Bundesliga. But if someone knows how to catch up with a practically unobstructible gap, then Alonso. In 2005 he was 0: 3 behind the Liverpool FC in the final, but then cheered after the penalty thriller with the Henkelpott.

“We are not used to losing twice in a row. Now we have to come back,” says Alonso. If this succeeds against Bayern, his legend status on the Rhine would reach the next level. So far, only four teams in the premier class have managed to move into the next round after a gap of three goals or more: FC Liverpool, AS Rome, FC Barcelona and Deportivo La Coruña.

Large drop for Bavaria

“You have nothing to lose anymore. You will try everything,” says Bayern’s offensive man Serge Gnabry. Either the Munich fulfill the expectations and come ahead or they embarrass themselves. The shine and Gloria are not available for you on Tuesday (9:00 p.m./Amazon Prime Video). But probably the quarter -finals against Inter Milan or against Feyenoord Rotterdam.

“It will be very emotional and atmospheric from the start, and we have to prepare for that,” says sports director Max Eberl. “Leverkusen will try to score goals with all his might, an early goal from her point of view. We have to appear extremely manly from the start, but still play football.”

Eberl warned: “We are not only allowed to try – that is not in the Bayern DNA – to manage a lead.” The 51-year-old asked to get his own game through. If this succeeds, the “Finale Dahoam” on May 31 would be closer to another round in the Munich arena.