Leverkusen ready for challenge after UCL exit
Xabi Alonso believes Bayer Leverkusen's trip to Stuttgart in the Bundesliga is exactly what his team needs after exiting the UEFA Champions League in midweek.
Leverkusen lost 2-0 at home to Bayern Munich, culminating in a 5-0 aggregate defeat in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
It followed a shock home loss to Werder Bremen last weekend to make it three defeats in a row in all competitions without scoring a goal.
The loss to Werder was its second of the season, with both defeats coming at home – also losing 3-2 to RB Leipzig on matchday two.
However, Leverkusen is currently unbeaten in each of its past 29 Bundesliga away games, winning 21 of them, the second-longest streak in league history.
"It is good that this game is now, but it is also a hard match," Alonso said. "We have to be professionals and take it game by game.
"Stuttgart are one of the best teams in Germany. They are ready to deliver a tough game. We will face a very good opponent who we associate with tough, intensive and also emotional games. I like those sorts of games, and I'm expecting a similar one on Sunday [Monday AEDT].
"In this situation, after the [UEFA] Champions League exit, the goal is clear, and the focus is on the Bundesliga and to win as many matches as possible, and, of course, the Cup [DFB-Pokal]."
Last season's domestic double winner Leverkusen is currently in second place in the Bundesliga, nine points behind Bayern.
It has also reached the DFB-Pokal semi-finals and face third-tier Arminia Bielefeld next month.
"A big goal for us is to remain with good emotional control. After a win, we are not the best and the same is after the third defeat in a row," Alonso said.
"It must not have too big an impact. We have to keep the same mentality and preparation, trust and conviction in what we do. We remain with our feet on the ground also during the bad moments.
"Win, draw or lose, we approach every game the same way and always prepare as well as we can. It's the same pressure before every game in this phase of the season. Also, because our aim is always the same: We want to win every game."
