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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xabi Alonso is considered one of the best midfielders of all time. He is certainly up there among his generation, alongside compatriots Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What set him apart was his ability to balance his attacking potency with brilliant defensive efforts. This was particularly true during his five-year tenure with English club Liverpool, which ended in 2009 when he joined Real Madrid.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2447448\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/51898828.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1750\" height=\"1157\" /> <em>Xabi Alonso during his playing days for Liverpool, here tackled by David Prutton of Southampton during a Premiership match at Anfield on 28 December 2004. (Photo: Clive Brunskill / Getty Images)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since calling time on his stellar playing career in 2017, which included appearing for German giants Bayern Munich as well as being part of the Spain national team that dominated international soccer between 2008 and 2012 – Alonso has moved into management. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is due to this new occupation that he will be making a brief return to England, this time as the head of Bayer Leverkusen. The German champions facing Alonso’s former side Liverpool will be one of the marquee fixtures during round four of the European Champions League group phase.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Full circle</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“It feels great to be back after a few years. It’s always special. You notice the development of the club. The new stands look pretty amazing,” Alonso stated. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“It’s a big game against Liverpool in a great moment, it cannot get much better than that. I am not thinking that much (about how I will be received). I am thinking more about how to prepare for the game. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I might think about my memories when I go for a walk or a run before the game. I know the city; I love it and I still have friends here. But I don’t have time for tourism,” Alonso said before Tuesday’s contest. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“This game means a lot to me. It will be a big game. The atmosphere will be great. Liverpool is one of the best teams in Europe at the moment. It’s a huge challenge — but a beautiful challenge for us,” added Alonso, who won the European title with Liverpool in 2005. </span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2447447\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2182880973.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1877\" height=\"1103\" /> <em>Liverpool manager Arne Slot. (Photo: Jan Kruger / Getty Images)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alonso and Leverkusen played 53 matches last season, losing just once (in the Europa League final to Atalanta) on the way to winning the Bundesliga and German Cup. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was an exhilarating run, which was made even more impressive by the fact that Alonso found the German side struggling in the relegation zone when he was appointed in 2022. In two years, he has transformed Leverkusen into a force. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They face a Liverpool outfit that is one of just two teams yet to drop points in the new league phase format of the Champions League. After three games, the Reds and fellow English side Aston Villa hold perfect records. </span>\r\n<h4><b>‘He’s special’</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ironically, prior to Arne Slot ascending to the role, Alonso was heavily linked with becoming Liverpool’s new manager following the departure of Jürgen Klopp. However, the 42-year-old opted to remain in Germany in order to continue honing his craft. </span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2447444\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2182204006.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1871\" height=\"1065\" /> <em>Carlo Ancelotti, head coach of Real Madrid. (Photo: Alberto Gardin / Eurasia Sport Images / Getty Images)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“It’s difficult to say what makes him a special manager if you don’t work with him on a daily basis, but he is, that is clear,” Slot said of Alonso.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“They were bottom of the league when he took over. He didn’t spend much and used mainly the same players, and they only lost in the final of the Europa League.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite the quality opposition before them, Slot and his Reds will fancy their chances of a victory. The English side is undefeated in their last 13 European competition matches against German teams, with 10 wins and three draws.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Heavyweight clash</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another exciting fixture will see two of the most successful teams in Champions League history tussle. Spanish giants and defending champions Real (with a record 15 titles in this competition) will host the second-most successful side, AC Milan. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Italians have won the Champions League seven times, though their last victory came all the way back in 2007. Head-to-head in the Champions League, the two heavyweights are level. In their 15 meetings, they share six wins each, as well as three draws.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the floods that have killed more than 200 people in Spain, Real manager Carlo Ancelotti said soccer should have taken a backseat. However, he added that ultimately it was up to the decision makers. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Football is a party and you can only celebrate and party when you, your family and everybody is well. When people are not well, you don’t party,” said Ancelotti. “Football has to stop. Because it is the most important of the least important things in life.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kick-off for Leverkusen and Liverpool, as well as Real and Milan, is 10pm South African time. </span><b>DM</b>",
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"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xabi Alonso is considered one of the best midfielders of all time. He is certainly up there among his generation, alongside compatriots Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What set him apart was his ability to balance his attacking potency with brilliant defensive efforts. This was particularly true during his five-year tenure with English club Liverpool, which ended in 2009 when he joined Real Madrid.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2447448\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1750\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2447448\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/51898828.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1750\" height=\"1157\" /> <em>Xabi Alonso during his playing days for Liverpool, here tackled by David Prutton of Southampton during a Premiership match at Anfield on 28 December 2004. (Photo: Clive Brunskill / Getty Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since calling time on his stellar playing career in 2017, which included appearing for German giants Bayern Munich as well as being part of the Spain national team that dominated international soccer between 2008 and 2012 – Alonso has moved into management. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is due to this new occupation that he will be making a brief return to England, this time as the head of Bayer Leverkusen. The German champions facing Alonso’s former side Liverpool will be one of the marquee fixtures during round four of the European Champions League group phase.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Full circle</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“It feels great to be back after a few years. It’s always special. You notice the development of the club. The new stands look pretty amazing,” Alonso stated. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“It’s a big game against Liverpool in a great moment, it cannot get much better than that. I am not thinking that much (about how I will be received). I am thinking more about how to prepare for the game. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I might think about my memories when I go for a walk or a run before the game. I know the city; I love it and I still have friends here. But I don’t have time for tourism,” Alonso said before Tuesday’s contest. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“This game means a lot to me. It will be a big game. The atmosphere will be great. Liverpool is one of the best teams in Europe at the moment. It’s a huge challenge — but a beautiful challenge for us,” added Alonso, who won the European title with Liverpool in 2005. </span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2447447\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1877\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2447447\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2182880973.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1877\" height=\"1103\" /> <em>Liverpool manager Arne Slot. (Photo: Jan Kruger / Getty Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alonso and Leverkusen played 53 matches last season, losing just once (in the Europa League final to Atalanta) on the way to winning the Bundesliga and German Cup. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was an exhilarating run, which was made even more impressive by the fact that Alonso found the German side struggling in the relegation zone when he was appointed in 2022. In two years, he has transformed Leverkusen into a force. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They face a Liverpool outfit that is one of just two teams yet to drop points in the new league phase format of the Champions League. After three games, the Reds and fellow English side Aston Villa hold perfect records. </span>\r\n<h4><b>‘He’s special’</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ironically, prior to Arne Slot ascending to the role, Alonso was heavily linked with becoming Liverpool’s new manager following the departure of Jürgen Klopp. However, the 42-year-old opted to remain in Germany in order to continue honing his craft. </span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2447444\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1871\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2447444\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2182204006.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1871\" height=\"1065\" /> <em>Carlo Ancelotti, head coach of Real Madrid. (Photo: Alberto Gardin / Eurasia Sport Images / Getty Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“It’s difficult to say what makes him a special manager if you don’t work with him on a daily basis, but he is, that is clear,” Slot said of Alonso.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“They were bottom of the league when he took over. He didn’t spend much and used mainly the same players, and they only lost in the final of the Europa League.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite the quality opposition before them, Slot and his Reds will fancy their chances of a victory. The English side is undefeated in their last 13 European competition matches against German teams, with 10 wins and three draws.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Heavyweight clash</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another exciting fixture will see two of the most successful teams in Champions League history tussle. Spanish giants and defending champions Real (with a record 15 titles in this competition) will host the second-most successful side, AC Milan. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Italians have won the Champions League seven times, though their last victory came all the way back in 2007. Head-to-head in the Champions League, the two heavyweights are level. In their 15 meetings, they share six wins each, as well as three draws.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the floods that have killed more than 200 people in Spain, Real manager Carlo Ancelotti said soccer should have taken a backseat. However, he added that ultimately it was up to the decision makers. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Football is a party and you can only celebrate and party when you, your family and everybody is well. When people are not well, you don’t party,” said Ancelotti. “Football has to stop. 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Xabi Alonso during his playing days for Liverpool, here tackled by David Prutton of Southampton during a Premiership match at Anfield on 28 December 2004. (Photo: Clive Brunskill / Getty Images)
Liverpool manager Arne Slot. (Photo: Jan Kruger / Getty Images)
Carlo Ancelotti, head coach of Real Madrid. (Photo: Alberto Gardin / Eurasia Sport Images / Getty Images)