Alonso ahead of #B04ASR: ‘We want to make this game unforgettable forever’

“It will be the most important and biggest game of the season,” said Wirtz. “I don’t feel any pressure at all but rather sheer anticipation. And the team, the fans and everybody at the club feels the same,” said the 20-year-old in confident mood before adding: “There doesn’t have to be a miracle tomorrow, we just have to do our job as best as we can. There will be eleven players on the pitch all with the right attitude. In addition, we’ve shown over the last few weeks that anything is possible in the second match. We have 90 minutes to turn the game round. That makes me very confident.”

Wirtz: "Get the opposition defence moving"

Alonso also drew important conclusions from the defeat in the semi-final first leg at AS Roma (0-1): “The best preparation for tomorrow’s game was the first leg. We can learn our lessons from that. It was very tight. The players now know their opposite numbers in their particular positions and know what to expect and how to best deal with the situations.”

According to Wirtz, the main focus of training this week was primarily on “getting the opposition defence on the move and creating more space through good runs to, in turn, enable more goalscoring opportunities.” Alonso is also expecting a “hectic and hard-fought game” where it will again come down to “the details and the right balance between passion and a clear head.”

Andrich, Kossounou, Bellarabi and Schick sidelined

The Spaniard will have to manage without Odilon Kossounou (thigh injury) and Robert Andrich (fractured metatarsal) after their injuries in the first leg. The latter underwent an operation on Tuesday. Karim Bellarabi (muscular injury) plus Patrik Schick (groin) are also ruled out.

Wirtz found reassuring words for his absent teammates: “I know what it’s like to be injured and not being able to play. It’s hard to take not being part of it and to being unable to help us with their strengths. Of course, I want to give them the present of a victory because of that.” But the midfielder also stressed: “We are also strong as a team and so keen that everybody who is replacing the lads on the pitch tomorrow will do a very good job.”

Alonso: "SET up for a unique night of football"

The atmosphere in and around the sold-out BayArena will be electric. Tickets for the game were sold out in 90 minutes. Fans will assemble first in Opladen. shortly before 19.30 CEST there will be a reception for the team bus on Bismarckstraße. 1,800 fans are expected from Rome.

Alonso is looking forward to this “unique atmosphere” and he went on to make an appeal: “We want more. It’s all set up for a unique night of football. I hope we can create my best memory here to date and play a match that people will still remember years ahead.”