Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso said on Friday their away league game at VfB Stuttgart on Sunday was a much-needed challenge straight after their midweek Champions League exit to Bayern Munich. Leverkusen lost 2-0 at home to Bayern on Tuesday for a 5-0 aggregate defeat in the Champions League last 16.

For most teams the priority after a three goal hammering at Bayern Munich's hands would simply be to avoid any further embarrassment in the second leg. Then again Bayer Leverkusen have long since imbued the idea that there is no comeback that is beyond them,

Bayern Munich comfortably beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 on the night and 5-0 on aggregate to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League. From a Leverkusen perspective, the energy in the first half