Spanish coach Xabi Alonso of Bayer Leverkusen has stated that to defeat Bayern Munich in their upcoming clash on Saturday, they will need “an almost perfect performance.”

In the pre-match press conference ahead of the Bundesliga showdown between first and second place, the Guipuzcoan emphasized the need for “great concentration throughout the 95 minutes,” both “with the ball and without it,” as he anticipated that “Bayern will come at full speed.”

“We have our priorities and focus areas. We had time to train, and that was our process. We know we have to defend together tomorrow,” he noted in response to the number of goals conceded by his team in recent matches.

The coach of the reigning German champions mentioned that “all players are ready, with no injuries,” and hinted that Argentine midfielder Exequiel Palacios, who missed the early matches of the season due to injury, “may start.”

Alonso, whose team approaches the match just three points behind Bayern, downplayed the significance of the encounter: “No, it’s just the fifth match of the season; there are still 30 left. There is no additional pressure this season.”

When asked about defender Jonathan Tah, whose contract with Leverkusen is expiring and was courted by Bayern in the summer, with speculation about a potential signing next season, Alonso stressed that “he is completely focused on playing well and helping the team” and that the rest does not concern him “at all.”

Regarding the team’s star, German playmaker Florian Wirtz, the Basque coach highlighted that “he has the desire to play even better this season” and “to demonstrate that he can still evolve,” citing his performance in the previous match against Wolfsburg as an example.

“In a situation that was not too easy, he wanted to play and was probably the best player on the pitch. So far this season, he has started very well. We need the best ‘Flo’ tomorrow. But, as I always say, we have to help him. He can’t do it alone. We need the whole team to shine,” he concluded.