Alonso wary of underestimating Elversberg: “They deserve the same respect as Liverpool”

Ahead of his team’s DFB-Pokal clash with Elversberg, Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso says the German side “deserve the same respect as Liverpool”.

While Bayer Leverkusen have become German double winners under Xabi Alonso’s stewardship, Elversberg have gone from being promoted to the 3. Liga to becoming a well-established 2.Bundesliga side.

The two teams meet in the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday night, and while Leverkusen are heavy favorites, Alonso is wary of underestimating his opponents, who shocked Hamburger SV 4-2 in the previous round.

“We know it’s like a final. We win or it’s over,” Xabi Alonso said at a press conference ahead of the game.

“They are very dangerous, they are a good team, we saw that against Hamburg,” added Alonso, who is looking to get back to winning ways after disappointing draws against Stade Brest (1-1) and Werder Bremen (2-2).

Just a week after the game against Elversberg, Leverkusen will take on Alonso’s former club Liverpool – and while there’s a big difference between the two sides, the Spaniard wants to take the preparation just as seriously.

“The preparation is always the same for us. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the Champions League against Liverpool or at home against Elversberg,” he said, adding:

“We only talk about the next opponent because they deserve the same respect as Liverpool. We don’t need any extra motivation.”