Xabi Alonso considers Bayer Leverkusen's DFB-Pokal match against Bayern Munich as “a final”.
Holders Leverkusen, who also won the Bundesliga last season, will visit Bayern in the last 16 on Tuesday.
Leverkusen have failed to maintain the impeccable form they showed on home soil last season, despite losing just one league match.
They are seven points behind leaders Bayern, who drew 1-1 against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, with Jamal Musiala scoring a late equalizer.
“The cup is one match and anything can happen,” Alonso said on Monday.
“Tomorrow is like a final for us. There is no more difficult match than a match at the Allianz Arena.
“Normally, Bayern are always the favorites when they play at the Allianz Arena in the Bundesliga, the Champions League or the DFB-Pokal.
“It's the biggest challenge. Almost a final.”
Ready for the Pokal! pic.twitter.com/aswnRN9p9X
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) December 2, 2024
Leverkusen will have to make do without key striker Victor Boniface, just as Bayern will miss top scorer Harry Kane.
But Alonso said he was pleased that striker Patrik Schick could be firing on all cylinders, with the Czech having scored the winner against Union Berlin on Saturday following his hat-trick against Heidenheim a week earlier.
Schick had also scored in Leverkusen's 5-0 defeat to Salzburg in midweek in the Champions League.
“Patrik is in a top moment,” Alonso said.
“He not only scores, but does many more things well, including against Union Berlin in an intense match against a very strong defense. I am happy that he has this good feeling.”
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