Xabi Alonso isn’t surprised to see Atletico Madrid challenging Bayern Munich in the semi-final of the Champions League. ‘They’re among the elite.’
The sides meet at Vincente Calderon in Wednesday’s first leg and ex-Real Madrid man Alonso rates Los Colchoneros as one of the continent’s strongest teams.
“In recent days we’ve started to prepare for the match. We’re ready mentally, we know there’ll be 180 minutes that’s very tough, intense, against a great team that’s proven to be one of the top five in Europe. It will be equal,” the midfielder told a Press conference, AS reports.
“It’s not a surprise, certainly, they’re among the elite. They can compete for everything. Last year they got to the quarter-finals, and this year they have a chance of winning the League. They’ve settled here and their progression is very quick and fully deserved.
“They’ve always been a complicated team. The progression of recent years has made them grow as a club, competing for everything. We have no doubt the game will be competitive, intense, with a crowd that supports them. We both want a good result.”
