Xabi Alonso has been the coach of Bayer Leverkusen since October 2022 – Photo: / Getty Images
He himself was eliminated from the Champions League with Bayer Leverkusen, but Xabi Alonso continues to follow the competition. The world and European champion names his favorites for the title.
“I like to watch Manchester City and Bayern, PSG too if everything fits together,” the former midfield director told El Pais when asked about the contenders for the premier class. In addition, Real Madrid is “always to be expected”, explains Xabi Alonso.
Real has been weakening in recent weeks, losing 3-1 to FC Barcelona in the final of the Supercopa de Espana on Sunday after a poor performance. Xabi Alonso still has his former employer on the list as one of the favorites in the premier class, partly because of Carlo Ancelotti.
“Ancelotti has this aura”
The Italian coach is emotionally very intelligent, according to Alonso. “That’s what characterizes Carlo. That’s why we all go up to him and hug him. He has this aura.” Apart from tactics and technique, the atmosphere in a team is enormously important for success. Ancelotti can ignite energy in the cabin.
Xabi Alonso knows what he’s talking about. In the 2013/2014 season he was a Real Madrid midfielder under Ancelotti’s command. Together they won the Champions League. After the season, Xabi moved on to Bayern Munich. In 2017 he ended his active career.
Sources used: El Pais
