Leverkusen looking for a miracle

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso must channel the "Miracle of Istanbul", Liverpool's incredible comeback to win the 2005 Champions League final in which he played a key role, to overcome Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

On that day, then Liverpool midfielder Alonso scored the equalizer against AC Milan, as the Reds came from 3-0 down at halftime to draw 3-3, before winning the match on penalties.

After Bayern's 3-0 win in Munich in the first leg of the Bundesliga rival's last-16 tie, the deficit is the same for Alonso's charges heading into the return fixture.

Leverkusen, the defending German champion, which had not lost to Bayern in six matches under Alonso, capitulated in Munich last week, with the Basque lamenting a "self-inflicted" defeat where his side "gave everything" to its opponent.

Leverkusen's woes may be compounded by an injury to midfield lynchpin Florian Wirtz, who limped off after a rough challenge against Werder Bremen on Saturday having played just 14 minutes.