Hello! The UEFA Champions League returns with the first batch of round of 16 matchups, perhaps most notably with the latest edition of the Madrid derby on Tuesday. I'm Pardeep Cattry with an update to start your week.

It is not without irony that Bayern Munich's last victory over Bayer Leverkusen was a factor in the appointment of Xabi Alonso as Leverkusen coach. Bayern's 4-0 in September 2022 was the last match for Gerardo Seoane as Leverkusen coach as he was repalced by Alonso,

Former Bayern munich midfielder and current Bayern Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is well aware of the mystique that his ex-club hold in the Champions League. While Bayer Leverkusen has done well against Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga (two draws) and the DFB-Pokal (win),