According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Alonso addressed the rumors during a recent press conference: “Real Madrid links? I see them, but I’m calm and focused. It’s not on my mind right now. Time goes by, but the affection for Real Madrid stays. Our bond is very strong—that’s clear. But my total focus is on Bayer Leverkusen right now.”

Alonso has emerged as the ideal candidate for the Madrid bench. Beyond understanding the soccer DNA of the Spanish giants, the 42-year-old manager has established himself as one of Europe’s brightest coaching talents. During the 2023-2024 season, Alonso led Bayer Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title, snapping Bayern Munich’s 11-year reign as champions. Under his guidance, Leverkusen completed an unbeaten league campaign, ending the club’s reputation as “Vicekusen.”

Although his side fell 3-0 to Atalanta in the Europa League final, Alonso’s achievements have solidified his reputation. Leverkusen also clinched the DFB-Pokal, defeating Kaiserslautern 1-0 despite playing with 10 men for more than half the match, thanks to a decisive goal from Granit Xhaka.

Ancelotti’s legacy at Real Madrid

According to Onda Cero, Ancelotti is expected to step down at the end of the season, regardless of whether Real Madrid adds more trophies to their cabinet. He leaves as the club’s most decorated manager, boasting two La Liga titles, two Champions League crowns, one Copa del Rey, and several Super Cups and Club World Cups.

Challenges ahead for Xabi Alonso

If Alonso takes over, he will face the daunting task of managing Real Madrid’s galaxy of stars, including Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Jr. Balancing egos, optimizing a star-studded lineup, and maintaining tactical cohesion will require deft management. Yet, Alonso’s ability to bring out the best in his players has been a hallmark of his career, making him a strong contender to lead Los Blancos into a new era.

[Watch Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen live for FREE in the USA on Fubo]

This Bundesliga showdown promises to be one of the weekend’s most compelling matchups, featuring two of the league’s top teams in a high-stakes clash. Borussia Dortmund, sitting in sixth place with 25 points, are striving to climb into the Champions League spots, making a win crucial to their ambitions.

Bayer Leverkusen, the defending champions, have loftier goals as they aim to close the four-point gap on Bayern Munich at the top of the table. With 32 points, Leverkusen see this as a pivotal opportunity to challenge for the league lead, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter between two German soccer giants.

When will the Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen match be played?

Borussia Dortmund will receive Bayer Leverkusen for the 2024-25 Bundesliga Matchday 16 this Saturday, December 14. The action is set to kick off at 2:30 PM (ET).

Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen: Time by State in the USA

ET: 2:30 PM

CT: 1:30 PM

MT: 12:30 PM

PT: 11:30 AM

How to watch Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen in the USA

Don’t miss the 2024-25 Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen will be broadcast live in the USA. You can catch all the action on Fubo (free trial). Other options: ESPN+, ESPN2.

It will undoubtedly be a key duel in group B, where at the moment the surprising Brugge lead with 9 points out of a possible 9. The rest of the teams have distributed points equally, so they all have 3. In other words, this Matchday will be decisive, since if either of them loses, their qualification for the round of 16 will be very difficult.

Bayer Leverkusen started this UEFA Champions League with a loss to Brugge. Then they would beat Atletico Madrid at home, and in the last game they lost in their visit to Porto. The Portuguese came from two consecutive defeats, so for them that victory has been very important, as will what happens in Germany.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Porto: Kick-Off Time

Bayer Leverkusen will play against Porto for the Matchday 4 of the 2022/2023 UEFA Champions League group stage this Wednesday, October 12 at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany.

Argentina: 4 PM
Australia: 5 AM (October 13)
Bangladesh: 1 AM (October 13)
Belgium: 9 PM
Brazil: 4 PM
Cameroon: 8 PM
Canada: 3 PM (EDT)
Costa Rica: 1 PM
Croatia: 9 PM
Denmark: 9 PM
Ecuador: 2 PM
Egypt: 9 PM
France: 9 PM
Germany: 9 PM
Ghana: 7 PM
India: 12:30 AM (October 13)
Indonesia: 2 AM (October 13)
Iran: 10:30 PM
Ireland: 8 PM
Israel: 10 PM
Italy: 9 PM
Jamaica: 2 PM
Japan: 4 AM (October 13)
Kenya: 10 PM
Malaysia: 3 AM (October 13)
Mexico: 2 PM
Morocco: 8 PM
Netherlands: 9 PM
New Zealand: 7 AM (October 13)
Nigeria: 8 PM
Norway: 9 PM
Poland: 9 PM
Portugal: 8 PM
Qatar: 10 PM
Saudi Arabia: 10 PM
Senegal: 7 PM
Serbia: 9 PM
Singapore: 3 AM (October 13)
South Africa: 9 PM
South Korea: 4 AM (October 13)
Spain: 9 PM
Sweden: 9 PM
Switzerland: 9 PM
Tanzania: 10 PM
Trinidad and Tobago: 3 PM
Tunisia: 7 PM
Uganda: 10 PM
UAE: 9 PM
UK: 8 PM
United States: 3 PM (ET)

Bayer Leverkusen vs Porto: TV Channel and Live Streaming

Argentina: Star+
Australia: Stan Sport
Bangladesh: Sony LIV
Brazil: HBO max
Canada: DAZN
Costa Rica: ESPN North, Star+
Croatia: Arena Sport 5 Croatia
Denmark: Viaplay Denmark
Ecuador: Star+
Egypt: beIN SPORTS CONNECT, beIN Sports English 2, TOD
France: beIN Sports MAX 7, Free, beIN SPORTS CONNECT
Germany: DAZN, DAZN2
Ghana: SuperSport MáXimo 3, SuperSport Variety 2, DStv Now
India: Sony LIV, JioTV
Indonesia: Vidio
Iran: beIN SPORTS CONNECT, TOD, beIN Sports English 2
Ireland: BT Sport 7, BTSport.com, BT Sport App, LiveScore App
Italy: Mediaset Infinity, Sky Sport 256, SKY Go Italia
Jamaica: Flow Sports App, Flowsports.co
Kenya: SuperSport Variety 2, SuperSport MáXimo 3, DStv Now
Malaysia: beIN Sports Connect Malaysia
Mexico: HBO max
Morocco: beIN SPORTS CONNECT, beIN Sports English 2, TOD
Netherlands: Ziggo Sports Tennis
New Zealand: SparkSport
Nigeria: SuperSport Variety 2, SuperSport MáXimo 3
Norway: TV 2Play
Poland: Polsat Sport Premium 6
Portugal: Sport TV Multiscreen, Sport TV+, Eleven Sports 1 Portugal
Qatar: beIN SPORTS CONNECT, TOD, beIN Sports English 2
Saudi Arabia: TOD, beIN SPORTS CONNECT
Senegal: SuperSport MáXimo 3, DStv Now, SuperSport Variety 2
Serbia: Arena Sport 4 Serbia
Singapore: beIN Sports Connect Singapore
South Africa: SuperSport Variety 3, DStv App, SuperSport MáXimo 3
Spain: Movistar+, Movistar Champions League 5
Sweden: C More Sweden
Switzerland: BlueSport 8, BlueSport
Tanzania: DStv Now, SuperSport MáXimo 3, SuperSport Variety 2
Trinidad and Tobago: Flow Sports App, Flowsports.co
Tunisia: beIN SPORTS CONNECT, TOD, beIN Sports English 2
Uganda: DStv Now, SuperSport MáXimo 3, SuperSport Variety 2
United Arab Emirates: TOD, beIN Sports English 2, beIN SPORTS CONNECT
United Kingdom: LiveScore App, BT Sport 7, BTSport.com, BT Sport App
USA: Paramount+ (free trial), VIX+