“Players like Xabi Alonso in midfield have the capacity to read the whole game,” Simeone said then. “Alonso’s return meant Madrid found the famous ‘balance’ their coach (then Carlo Ancelotti) was looking for. But the balance is Xabi Alonso, not the others.”

Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso lamented his side's failure to hold onto a first-half lead at 10-man Atletico Madrid, who fought back to beat them 2-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday, saying his side lacked the maturity to cope with the pressure.

Victor Boniface is reportedly set to become one of the highest-paid players at Bayer Leverkusen as the German club kickstarts negotiations for a new deal.

Bayer Leverkusen need to be ruthless to win at Atletico Madrid and edge closer to a direct spot in the Champions League last 16, manager Xabi Alonso said ahead of Tuesday's clash.

Piero Hincapie had put Leverkusen a goal up in the first half, following Pablo Barrios' red card for Atleti, which had looked like it put the visitors on course for victory

Diego Simeone praises Atletico Madrids comeback victory over Bayer Leverkusen, highlighting key moments and team spirit in the Champions League.

Bayer Leverkusen left frustrated as they let slip their lead and conceded a late winner to lose 2-1 to Atletico Madrid in the Spanish capital. The majority of the first 45 was very frustrating for

Now, as reports heighten regarding Ancelotti’s potential departure this summer, rumours speculating Alonso as the Italian’s natural heir have also increased, especially with Leverkusen’s upcoming match against Los Blancos’ bitter rivals Atlético de Madrid.

The Iberian media announced that Carlo Ancelotti wishes to leave Real Madrid at the end of the 2024-25 financial year, one year before the end of his contract. This astonishing information has not been confirmed by the main Spanish media.

Atletico Madrid went third in the Champions League table with a 2-1 comeback victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.

Bayer Leverkusen saw their run of 11 straight UEFA Champions League wins ended 2-1 by Atletico Madrid on Monday. Despite being reduced to 10 men after Pablo Barrios was sent off in the first half, Atletico capitalised on a second-half change of pace to secure victory and move into the top three in the group.