The Bundesliga usually follows a set script. After a few matchdays, Bayern Munich leads the pack with its star-studded squad as Dortmund and Leipzig trail them. The league is wrapped up by the winter in contrast to other European leagues that go down to the wire. This summer, the Bavarian giants reinforced their frontline with Harry Kane, captain of England’s national team. The former Tottenham star, who was on track to break the Premier League’s all-time scoring record, has eight goals in the league and has combined well with Bayern’s attacking frontline. Despite aiming to win their 12th consecutive championship title and boasting a dazzling squad, Bayern’s invincibility is being tested by a new challenger this season.
Bayer Leverkusen have hit the ground running in this year’s Bundesliga, winning five of their first six matches. Their opening two fixtures were against RB Leipzig and Mönchengladbach, who they defeated 3–2 and 3–0 respectively. Such a start has garnered praise from pundits, with much of the credit going to Spanish manager Xabi Alonso, who is only in his second season as a top-flight professional coach. Alonso’s recruitment and tactical philosophy has turned Leverkusen into an aggressive unit that looks comfortable in and out of possession.
The Spaniard’s first role in management came with the B-team of his boyhood side Real Sociedad with whom he secured promotion to the Spanish second division. During his time in Spain, Alonso gained a reputation for his possession-based team, but at Leverkusen, he has emphasized the importance of productive possession, where each pass has a purpose and supports the team. Alonso has switched to an adaptive 3–5–2 formation with ball-playing center-backs and attacking fullbacks anchoring his build-up play. When defending, Bayer’s fullbacks retreat into a back five while the remaining players become compact. In his first season in Germany, the former Real Madrid legend took Leverkusen from 17th to 6th, averaging 1.6 points a game, a figure once held by current Liverpool boss and Gengenpress pioneer Jürgen Klopp back in 2008. The number of shots from opponents also dropped from 13.4 to 10.9 per game, highlighting the defensive improvement. Alonso’s initial success in Germany has sparked rumors of a potential reunion with Real Madrid, as Los Blancos will be in the market for a new manager next summer.
One of Leverkusen’s young stars is attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz. Much like Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala, Wirtz is being touted as the future of German football, as the 20-year-old’s creativity and goal-scoring ability has troubled defenses throughout the country. Alonso uses Wirtz in a two-man attacking duo with Jonas Hofmann behind Nigerian forward Victor Boniface. Hofmann joined Leverkusen from Mönchengladbach this summer and has been an engine down the left flank. Hofmann knows the Bundesliga like the back of his hand having played in Germany since his youth academy days. On the contrary, Boniface was brought in from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise as a replacement for last season’s Moussa Diaby, who led the team’s goal scoring and assist charts last season. A physical force up front, Boniface combines pace with composed finishing in the final third. He already has six goals and two assists in the Bundesliga and is showing no signs of slowing down.
Two additional signings have also balanced Leverkusen’s lineup. Benfica’s Alejandro Grimaldo is an attack-minded left-back who brings pace to complement Hofman on the left wing. This gives Alonso flexibility in terms of outlets that can be deployed for quick counter-attacks. Former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka also joined Leverkusen’s ranks this season. Xhaha’s defensive midfield role is similar to what Alonso had during his prime at Liverpool and Real Madrid. Despite lacking pace, Xhaka’s ability to thread passes through midfield and high-pressure pressing makes him a key asset. The Swiss international is also known for his rocket left foot which makes him a goal-scoring threat when he overloads in attack.
Looking forward, Leverkusen will hope to make a deep run in the Europa League where they could potentially lock horns with the likes of Liverpool and Roma. Considering their favorable group stage draw, Alonso’s men should focus on the Bundesliga as title challengers Bayern Munich are unlikely to drop many points.
The former World Cup winner Alonso has played with some of the best midfielders in history including the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Gerrard and Kaká. In terms of coaches, he has played under master tacticians like José Mourinho, Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti. All three managers followed unique blueprints for their teams and Alonso seems to be blending his learnings into a unique style of his own. His experience is unmatched and Leverkusen’s performances in the coming months could be the making of another world-class manager for years to come.
