Xabi Alonso admitted Bayer Leverkusen were not at their best as they dramatically avoided a DFB Pokal upset from second-tier Cologne.

Xabi Alonso is set to make up to four changes when his Bayer Leverkusen side host local rivals FC Köln at the BayArena in Wednesday’s DFB Pokal quarter-final.After making his return to the

Xabi Alonso's side recovered from 2-0 down with Patrik Schick's last-gasp equaliser forcing extra-time, where Victor Boniface decided the tie at BayArena.

Bayer Leverkusen's DFB-Pokal title defence appeared under threat at 2-0 down against second-tier Koln, but they were not to be denied.

Bayer Leverkusen staged a dramatic comeback to overcome 1. FC Koln 3-2 in the DFB-Pokal quarter-finals, securing their place in the semi-finals with a last-gasp victory.