Meeting Liverpool is Alonso's emotional journey back to his glorious past

BERLIN, Germany - The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League campaign is triggering sweet memories for Xabi Alonso in a curious way.

The most important club competition is taking the 42-year-old Leverkusen coach back to his first significant title as a professional player, the 2005 Champions League triumph with Liverpool in the 2005 Istanbul final against Milan.

After Leverkusen crossed swords with AC Milan (1-0), the Spaniard is ahead of the emotional duel against the side he played for between 2004 and 2009.

"It's a big game. It's a game that can hardly be beaten by anything else in football," the 114-time capped said ahead of his return to Anfield this Tuesday evening.

The Leverkusen coach admitted to being overwhelmed by memories and emotions as his Liverpool journey seems to return to life.

May 25, 2005, might stand for a unique benchmark, as Liverpool made up for a 3-0 setback in the first half and delivered a breathtaking catch-up race in a nail-biting final leading to a thrilling penalty shootout.

Not to speak of him having gone through extreme feelings. "It was the first penalty I took as a professional player," the Spanish star coach is recalling the moments in the 60th minute.

Milan keeper Dida first saved his first shot carried out with the right foot before having to surrender as Alonso took the opportunity to finalize things with his left foot, making it 3-3.

"This was maybe the quickest reaction in my career," he said, eye-twinkling. The LFC (Liverpool) survived the extra time and turned into the fortunate side in the penalty thriller.

As a fact, the 2005 title was Alonso's first as a professional footballer after joining the Reds from Real Sociedad in the 2004 summer. Goosebumps seem guaranteed this Tuesday evening as uncountable moments followed for the former midfield conductor.

"Friends and nearly all my family were around. Only my mother stayed home and later told me she was screaming back home over the entire match."

The Spaniard will have to push memories aside when entering Anfield as the reigning German champions head coach.

Following two victories over Feyenoord and Milan and a draw against French participant Brest (1-1), Leverkusen is in a promising position in the newly formed 2024/25 competition, which will be played in a league system.

Both the Liverpool and Leverkusen find themselves among the first eight after three rounds of matches.

The journey to Liverpool stands for Leverkusen's so far biggest challenge in this season's campaign. "To play them on their home soil is the biggest challenge I can think of at present," the Bayer coach admitted.

It might take a cool mindset to survive, as the German side isn't only facing a football myth but a unique atmosphere in the Liverpool arena that can turn into a paralyzing factor.

His side must go beyond its limits, the Leverkusen manager said, being aware the same might apply to himself. - XINHUA