Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso picks out West Ham’s key players ahead of Europa League quarter-final clash
Xabi Alonso says he is readying his Bayer Leverkusen side for a ‘big challenge’ against West Ham and has picked out David Moyes’ key players ahead of the two-legged Europa League quarter-final.
Leverkusen are enjoying an exceptional campaign in what is Alonso’s first full season as a first-team manager, with the club sitting 16 points clear of champions Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga table and battling for silverware in the German cup and in Europe.
Alonso put the uncertainty over his future to bed last month as he announced that he would remain in charge beyond the summer amid strong interest from Liverpool and Bayern Munich, with incessant speculation threatening to become a distraction.
This evening, the 42-year-old Spaniard is anticipating one of his toughest challenges yet since taking over the reins at Leverkusen, as his team prepare to welcome West Ham to BayArena for the first leg of an intriguing contest.