Xabi Alonso: ‘Bayer Leverkusen want more’ against Roma

Xabi Alonso confirms the tactical versatility of Bayer Leverkusen against Roma in the Europa League semi-final 2^nd leg. ‘We all want more.’

It kicks off at the BayArena at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Atalanta-Olympique Marseille on the LIVEBLOG.

The Spanish coach showed respect to Daniele De Rossi in the first leg by using a False 9, but although he shelves that formation tonight, it is Hlozek who starts as the centre-forward rather than Victor Boniface.

“We have made a few changes. A few players who were not able to play from the beginning. We are facing a good team and let’s see. It is a big chance that we have. We can’t take anything for granted,” Xabi Alonso told TNT Sports.

“Anyone can play striker. We want to fill the gaps and play between the lines, We need to have a good balance between passion and intelligence.”

Bayer Leverkusen won the first leg 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico, so it will take a miracle for Roma to turn this around.

“We have a good advantage but it doesn’t mean anything if we don’t show a good performance today.”

This team is unbeaten in 48 competitive matches this season, winning 40 of them.

Xabi Alonso has already won the Bundesliga, is in the Final of the German Cup and on the verge of reaching the Europa League Final, so could it be a Treble?

“We all want more. The crowd will push us to go to Dublin. So far it has been great, but we don’t want to stop. The record is a consequence of the work we are doing.”

Xabi Alonso video