Tough Leipzig clash to test Leverkusen's Champions League nerves, Alonso says

After a 3-2 league win at Borussia Moenchengladbach, Leverkusen had a narrow 1-0 victory at fourth tier FC Carl Zeiss Jena in the first round of the DFB Pokal on Tuesday, and Alonso said his double-winning side are far from their best selves.

"We know that we can play better and have not yet reached our top level yet. We need to work on that," Alonso told reporters ahead of Saturday's home game.

"That's why we want to carry on working. It's a process to achieve that level but it's our aim and we're focused on that. And I'm confident we can do it too.

"The players know exactly what they have to do. We have a good flow in our game and we have to maintain that so that we can work both with and without the ball."

Leverkusen and Leipzig will both play Liverpool, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid in the revamped Champions League, and Alonso conceded that Saturday's match could be a test of his side's potential in that competition.

"The game with Leipzig is a top match at Champions League level. They are very good opponents with very strong individual and collective quality and a great coach (Marco Rose)."

"We have eight great opponents and it will for sure be intense and obviously I am looking forward to going back to Anfield."

Levrkusen captain Lukas Hradecky has been ruled out due to illness and will be replaced Matej Kovar in goal, Alonso confirmed.