“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.

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has been touted as a future Real Madrid coach for some time now, and reports that Carlo Ancelotti is set to leave the Spanish capital this summer have reignited the

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is rumoured to have decided to leave his post at the end of season, sparking speculation that Xabi Alonso will be brought in to replace him

CARLO ANCELOTTI will quit Real Madrid with Xabi Alonso ready to replace him, according to reports. The 65-year-old boss guided Los Blancos to LaLiga and Champions League glory last season. But

The Spanish coach is the main candidate to replace Ancelotti at Real Madrid.

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.

At a press conference on Monday, Xabi Alonso was asked about the speculation and made no secret of the special relationship he has with Real Madrid, who he represented as a player. "Time passes, but the affection remains. My bond with Real is strong, that's clear, but my focus is now on Bayer Leverkusen ," Xabi Alonso said, adding:

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.

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

The European champions have not had it all their own way in 2024-25 and they have work to do to advance to the Champions League knockouts