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Tough Leipzig clash to test Leverkusen's Champions League nerves, says Alonso

Leverkusen's hopes of reaching the Champions League knockout rounds hang in the balance as they prepare to face RB Leipzig on Wednesday, with coach Xabi Alonso admitting his side's nerves will be tested.

Leverkusen currently sit third in Group B, one point behind second-placed Atletico Madrid and three adrift of leaders Club Brugge.

Alonso's men must beat Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena and hope that Atletico lose at home to Brugge to have any chance of progressing to the last 16.

“We know it will be a tough game,” said Alonso. “Leipzig are a very good team, they are well-organized and they have a lot of quality.”

“We will need to be at our best to get something from the game. We need to be brave, we need to be aggressive, and we need to show our quality.”.

• Leverkusen have won just one of their last five games in all competitions.
• Leipzig are unbeaten in their last four games, winning three.
• The two sides drew 1-1 when they met earlier in the group stage.

Alonso admitted that his players will be feeling the pressure as they look to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

“There is no doubt that there will be nerves,” he said. “It's a big game for us, and we know that we need to win to have any chance of qualifying.”

“But we are confident in our ability. We have a good team, and we have shown that we can compete with the best teams in Europe.”

Leverkusen will be without the suspended Piero Hincapie for the game, while Leipzig are expected to be at full strength.