How Xabi Alonso has evolved Bayer Leverkusen after their near-perfect season
Bayer Leverkusen’s Champions League Journey #
Bayer Leverkusen’s return to Champions League football this season has brought a new sense of excitement and expectation. The German club secured a 1-0 victory against AC Milan in their first European home game, showcasing their growth and adaptability under their current manager.
Last season, Leverkusen came close to achieving football immortality, reaching the Europa League final and going unbeaten in the Bundesliga while also winning the DFB-Pokal. This success has transformed them from underdogs to a team with a target on their backs in European competition.
The Europa League final defeat, though painful, may prove to be a crucial learning experience for the team. It exposed some of their weaknesses against aggressive, man-marking approaches, prompting tactical adjustments from the coaching staff.
In their recent Champions League match against Milan, Leverkusen demonstrated their ability to adapt their strategy. They focused on exploiting wide areas, utilizing their wing-backs Alejandro Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong to stretch the play. The team employed diagonal passes and switches of play to break down Milan’s compact defensive structure.
The manager’s tactical flexibility was evident in the contrasting approaches used against Bayern Munich and Milan within a short span. Against Bayern, Leverkusen adopted a more defensive stance, staying in a compact block and frustrating their opponents. This adaptability speaks to the coach’s pragmatic approach, tailoring tactics to each opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.
Key to Leverkusen’s success has been the retention of core players, particularly Florian Wirtz, who delivered a man-of-the-match performance against Milan. His creative freedom and technical quality allow him to support attacks across the front line, catalyzing wide plays and forming overloads.
As the season progresses, Leverkusen appears to be evolving into a more versatile and tactically astute team. They’ve maintained their fundamental playing style while becoming more pragmatic and adaptable. This evolution bodes well for their prospects in both domestic and European competitions.