Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen visited Simeone's Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night - The Athletic was watching both men

Now, as reports heighten regarding Ancelotti’s potential departure this summer, rumours speculating Alonso as the Italian’s natural heir have also increased, especially with Leverkusen’s upcoming match against Los Blancos’ bitter rivals Atlético de Madrid.

Xabi Alonso has responded about potentially replacing Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid. The ex-Los Blancos midfielder has done a phenomenal job with Bundesliga ou

Bayer Leverkusen need to be ruthless to win at Atletico Madrid and edge closer to a direct spot in the Champions League last 16, manager Xabi Alonso said ahead of Tuesday's clash.

A little more than two years after a heartbreaking group stage elimination, Atlético de Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen will meet again in the Champions League on Tuesday in a vital showdown for positioning in the league phase table.

Having lost their long-held German title to Bayer Leverkusen last term, Bayern Munich are once again having a punch-up with Xabi Alonso's team at the top of the table. Both teams won tough away games at the weekend (Leverkusen won 3-2 at Borussia Dortmund on Friday night,

Following Bayern Munich's victory over Wolfsburg earlier, Bayer Leverkusen returned to within four points of the Bundesliga leaders with an 11th straight win across all competitions

Xabi Alonso stresses the importance of Bayer Leverkusens must-win match against Atletico Madrid to secure a top-eight finish in the Champions League.

Xabi Alonso ... midfielder Alonso joined Madrid from Liverpool in 2009 and won the Champions League, the LaLiga title and two Copas del Rey before departing for Bayern Munich in 2014.

Florian Wirtz scored twice and provided an assist as Bayer Leverkusen moved back to within four points of Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.

Xabi Alonso, head coach of Bayer Leverkusen and former Real Madrid midfielder, made statements regarding his future following reports that Carlo Ancelotti would not continue with the Spanish club next season.