Xabi Alonso wants Bayer Leverkusen fans to provide ‘energy’ in Champions League

Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso has called for the club’s fans to provide “energy” as his injury-hit side target two vital Champions League home wins.

Leverkusen are 13th in the Champions League standings ahead of Tuesday’s tie with struggling RB Salzburg, and also face Inter Milan at the BayArena on December 10.

They will be without the services of both striker Martin Terrier and winger Jonas Hofmann, however, Terrier suffering a broken arm against Heidenheim on Saturday and Hofmann being sidelined with a thigh injury.

Both players have been ruled out until the new year and join team-mates Victor Boniface, Amine Adli, Nordi Mukiele and Jeanuel Belocian on the sidelines.

“We need the whole squad but with six injured players, everyone is even more important,” Alonso said in his pre-match press conference.

“It’s intense to play every three days. A special situation in which we need every single player.

“We know how important these two coming home games in the Champions League against Salzburg and Inter Milan are. We are in a positive position now and if we carry on like that then we will have a good opportunity of finishing in the top eight teams in the table.

“Every match in this competition is difficult and dangerous but we want to enjoy it and, above all, come out on top at home. We need the energy from the fans. In difficult moments they can influence and push us.”

Salzburg are 30th in the Champions League and just sixth in the Austrian Bundesliga, 14 points adrift of the side who ended their run of 10 successive titles last year, Sturm Graz.

However, Alonso insists he will be taking nothing for granted against a side managed by Pep Lijnders, the long-time assistant to Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

“We expect a good opponent tomorrow, Salzburg plays with a lot of intensity and dynamism,” Alonso said.

“They have young players who show great spirit on the pitch, are brave and have good technique.”