Xabi Alonso on Bayer Leverkusen shock tactics against Roma

Xabi Alonso explains how Bayer Leverkusen have changed since last season’s Europa League semi-final and the surprising tactical twist with Roma tonight.

It kicks off at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game, Olympique Marseille-Atalanta and Fiorentina-Club Brugge on the LIVEBLOG.

These sides met in the semi-final last season too, with Jose Mourinho’s Giallorossi going through 1-0 on aggregate, but a great deal has changed for both sides in the course of a year.

“We’ve had a whole other season with a different approach, different style of football and different ideas. We have the same determination as last year in a great atmosphere,” Xabi Alonso told Sky Sport Italia.

The starting XI is a huge surprise, as Victor Boniface and Patrik Schick are both on the bench, with Amine Adli as a False 9. Was there some fitness issue prompting this change of approach?

“Fortunately, there are no injuries, we simply chose this XI with the hope it will go well for this game. We aim to play in a complete fashion, so there will be phases when we need to defend with sacrifice and others where we will attack.”

It is the first time that Xabi Alonso and Daniele De Rossi have faced off on the touchline, having met before on the pitch as players.

“It’s a pleasure to face him, as he is a coach of my generation, we’re both just starting out and have much to learn.”

Xabi already had his success, winning the Bundesliga title at a canter and still the only team unbeaten in all competition this season.