´Today is a lesson for us´ – Alonso philosophical after defeat on Champions League bow

Xabi Alonso refused to be downbeat after losing his first Champions League game as Bayer Leverkusen head coach, describing Wednesday’s 3-0 reverse to Porto as a “lesson”. Alonso led Leverkusen to a 4-0 Bundesliga win over Schalke in his first match in charge on Saturday, but endured a more chastening experience against the Portuguese outfit. […]