Xabi Alonso, the Rossoneri coach, spoke at a press conference following Bayer Leverkusen - Milan, the second match of the Championship Stage of the 2024-2025 Champions League, which took place at the 'BayArena' in Leverkusen, Germany.
Here are his statements, as relayed via Pianeta Mialn:
On conceding zero goals in the Champions League:
"We know we defend well. In the Champions League, we haven't conceded in these first two matches, partly due to the mentality we have in this competition. We know we have to fight, and today against Milan was an example."
If he was worried:
"No, we respected the competition. We knew what to do. Only in the last 20 minutes were we a bit tired, but that’s understandable after the game in Munich. Looking at the whole match, we did well, better in the first half. The second half wasn't easy."
If he was unhappy with the last 20 minutes:
"Yes, but I'm happy with the first 60. Against an Italian team, you have to be smart. In the first half, we made few mistakes. In the Champions League, there are great teams, and there are different moments during the game."
On the game plan, Alonso said:
"Milan defends with great intensity in the middle, even with their forwards. That was the idea, and when we executed it well, we got close to their goal. We had to build this game with control, and we prepared for that."
On Victor Boniface, who scored the goal against Milan:
"He had great chances, especially against Emerson in the first half. We help him a lot, and in the end, he scored and did an excellent job. Do I want Boniface closer to the goal, like Drogba? He has many qualities that can bring him closer to that level. Sometimes he needs to be more aggressive in attacking the goal, and that’s a process where we need to help him."
On the two different Bayer teams between Bayern and Milan:
"The pace of Bayer and that of Milan are totally different. Milan wants to control the space, while German teams press very high. Today we were ready for a very different game, and Italian teams are good at exploiting mistakes."
On Milan, Alonso said:
"Milan, one of the most dangerous teams against us at the BayArena? Yes, we played against Milan in the Champions League, it’s normal. For us, it’s difficult to dominate Milan for 90 minutes. The Rossoneri are a team with great history. In the last 20 minutes, they were superior, but we did well."
