Alonso: We need a miracle to reach the quarter-finals

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has said his team needs a miracle to qualify for the quarter-finals of the current edition of the Champions League. The German league champions lost to compatriot Bayern Munich 3-0 in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday evening at the Allianz Arena. Alonso said in his statements after the 3-0 defeat: "We had to perform more maturely to control the match better. Details and mistakes make a big difference, but what happened was a tough night for us." He added: "Scoring an additional goal or reducing the difference could have been decisive. The second goal, the red card, and the penalty kick are all factors in Bayern's favor, and that's what led to this result." The Spanish coach spoke about the team's chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals, saying: "Miracles always happen in football, and we need one now. Let's wait and see, that's the nature of football. This wasn't the first time, and there is still a home game."