Alonso ahead of #ASRB04: ‘We’ve shown we can beat anybody’

Since the start of the week, the focus has exclusively been on the first leg against AS Roma as the Werkself captain Lukas Hradecky explained before his first European semi-final: “In football it goes on and on. We face a big match on an impressive stage where we want to achieve a good position for the second leg at home in Leverkusen.”

Hradecky: "WE can expect a big challenge"

Asked about AS Roma offensive star Paulo Dybala, who has 18 goal involvements in Serie A, goalkeeper Hradecky declared: “I look at each opponent in detail. Roma have a lot of good players who never give up and keep on fighting. Regardless of who plays tomorrow night – we can expect a big challenge.

Hradecky and Co. have shown over recent weeks that they are ready both in the Bundesliga and in the Europa League. “We’ve developed well. Bayern, Leipzig – we showed we can beat anyone,” added Hradecky. “We want to show that again against Roma.”

Alonso's reunion with Mourinho: "looking forward to seeing him"

Xabi Alonso will meet his former manager José Mourinho for the first time as a coach on Thursday night. Mourinho coached him at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013. “Of course, it’s special for me to play against him. I had a great time with him and I learned a lot from him. Mourinho knows how to inspire a team and he was always a leader,” explained Alonso. “I’m looking forward to seeing him. But when the game starts I will be completely focused on the events on the pitch and I will dedicate all my energy exclusively to working with my team.”

Alonso’s opposite number Mourinho earlier praised the defensive work and the counter attacking game of the Werkself. Alonso welcomed the statements of the 60-year-old Portuguese ahead of the match. The Spaniard: “Roma also have their strengths in fast transition and, above all, at set pieces. But we are ready for their approach to the game.”