Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso said on Friday their away league game at VfB Stuttgart on Sunday was a much-needed challenge straight after their midweek Champions League exit to Bayern Munich.

Bayern Munich hope to turn their first leg advantage into a spot in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals on Tuesday, taking on Bayer Leverkusen in a matchup between the last two Bundesliga winners.

Bayern Munich comfortably beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 on the night and 5-0 on aggregate to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League. From a Leverkusen perspective, the energy in the first half