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

The Spanish coach is the main candidate to replace Ancelotti at Real Madrid.

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.

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.

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 insisted that Bayer Leverkusen must fight in their Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid to keep their hopes of a top eight finish alive. Alonso’s side are fourth in the new 36-team table,

Leon Goretzka has scored twice for Bayern Munich to beat Wolfsburg 3-2 and retain its four-point lead in the Bundesliga

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

Defending champions Bayer Leverkusen know they will need to be close to perfect to hunt down leaders Bayern Munich as the Bundesliga returns ... Unbeaten league and cup winners last campaign, Xabi Alonso's side stumbled early in the season as they struggle ...

Alex Grimaldo scored Bayer Leverkusen’s only goal in their 1-0 win against Mainz 05 on Tuesday night. The Spaniard hit a superb free-kick, lofting the ball over the wall from just outside the area

The victory came thanks to a brilliant free kick from Alex Grimaldo at the beginning of the second half and keeps Leverkusen second in the table, one point behind leaders Bayern Munich. The visitors, meanwhile, are fifth in the table and trail Leverkusen by 10 points following the defeat.