Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has said he and his teammates need to put in a perfect performance to beat current Champions League holders Bayern Munich.
Los Blancos welcome the Bundesliga champions to the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday before the sides meet again next week in Munich. The Bavarians head into the semi-final tie as favourites to progress to the final and defend the crown they won at Wembley last year.
And to stop them from doing so, Los Blancos need to put in a perfect performance similar to the one they played last week in the Copa del Rey final, Alonso said.
Speaking at a press conference after training on Tuesday morning, Alonso stated: “We have to play a perfect match. We have to know how to defend and to attack well when we have the ball.
“Bayern are a great rival but we are going through a good moment and nobody is the favourite. We’ve made it into the semi-finals in each of the last three years and now we want to take the next step.”
The 32-year-old also spoke about the impact that Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale can have on the tie. Both have been doubts for the game but should make the starting 11 having recovered from a hamstring strain and flu respectively.
“Ronaldo will play if he is 100 per cent fit. The coach, the staff and the player himself will decide. He is important for us,” Alonso said. “Ronaldo can create and score goals. We use him whenever he is available.”
He continued: “Irrespective of the goal, Gareth Bale has been very valuable for us and we’re very happy with him, especially since it is his first season.”
