Leverkusen boss Alonso says Elversberg "deserve same respect as Liverpool"

The knockout stages of the DFB Pokal are set to kick off on Tuesday, as Bayer Leverkusen face SV Elversberg. The German double champions are undoubtedly favourites to make it through this round, though Xabi Alonso does not seem to be to sure about that.
“We know it's like a final. We win or it's over,” Xabi Alonso said durin the press conference ahead of the game. "They are very dangerous, they are a good team, we saw that against Hamburg," added Alonso, who is looking to get back to winning ways after two disappointing draws against Stade Brest in the Champions League and the latest against Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga.
"The preparation is always the same for us. It doesn't matter if it's in the Champions League against Liverpool or at home against Elversberg," he said, adding: “We only talk about the next opponent because they deserve the same respect as Liverpool. We don't need any extra motivation.”
Elversberg currently find themselves in the second-tier of German football after having clinched promotion to the Bundesliga 3 in the 2022/2023 season. They currently sit 7th in the league, just three points behind the qualifying position. Nevertheless, Xabi Alonso is adament on the fact his side must not undermine their opponent.