From Neverkusen to ‘unbeatables’: meticulous thinking under a calculated manager, the key to the week that Bayer Leverkusen won the title and ensured their (near) future — Volume 2, Issue #27
This very much feels like the weekend Leverkusen won the league and possibly ensured that for the (near) future, they won't be relenting anytime soon.
As Leverkusen cruised to a 3-0 dismantling of Bayern Munich, despite half of the season still to be played, it was a result that shifted momentum in the Bundesliga title race and the wider context of either side's seasons. To the point that legendary commentator Derek Rae would label Xabi Alonso’s side as “unbeatables.”
In reality, it was early February—21 games in, 13 to go, the gap would widen to five points—but nothing insurmountable for Bayern sides of the past. However, as we would find out, this isn't one of those Bayern sides and Leverkusen remained unbeaten; two months later, they still do.
Rae’s comment may have rolled eyes, but now it seems like an ever-growing possibility.
At the time of writing, Leverkusen are unbeaten in all competitions played (39 games) and, in recent weeks, have built up a portfolio and reputation for finding that extra level to edge over their opponents.
On Friday afternoon, Alonso personally halted speculation over his future, announcing his stay at the club for another year and strengthening the belief that this is the year that the unwanted tag of “Neverkusen” is washed away by one of the most successful seasons there has ever been and won’t just be left to be cast upon as a one-time thing.
In many ways, this Leverkusen season is one representative of the very manager sculpting it. Meticulous in theory and calculated in practice.
The journey to unmatchable levels of performance hasn’t happened overnight.
Alonso was in situ back in October 2022. Brought into a relegation battle that saw Leverkusen scrapping at the table's lower reaches to add a calm, reassuring figure in the dressing room, but ultimately lead a project of promise.
Accepting the gig at the BayArena intrigued onlookers. Alonso was a growing name at the youth level, not just for his glittering career and relation to a former known coach (Periko Alonso, his father), but also for his time with Real Sociedad B. An offer to coach Borussia Mönchengladbach that came but was sent back with rejection showed admiration from those in the professional game, as well as a known thought-out trait in Alonso.
Overseeing a surge up the table from the depths of the league to the European places only validated calls for a project worth building.
Collaboration with sporting director Simon Rolfes would prove vital throughout the summer in crafting this Leverkusen side.
Speaking to Reuters mid-season, Rolfes said, "We knew exactly how we wanted to play. We also knew who we wanted to get rid of, not only signing but also selling.”
Leverkusen and Alonso spent most of their pre-season in the Austrian town of Saalfelden. It's a popular visit destination due to its tranquil nature all year round, and it proved to be the ideal environment for Alonso and co. to carve out a title-winning squad.
Leverkusen already boasted a competitive squad, as their pick-up in form the previous season showed. The defensive options (including goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky and holding midfielder Robert Andrich) were solid and dependable. In Alonso’s 3-4-3, Jeremie Frimpong embraces the responsibility of motoring up and down the right flank as he pleases. And in Florian Wirtz, who returned from a lengthy injury layoff with even more verve, they have one of the finest attacking talents in recent German history.
Nonetheless, there were gaps in personnel, specifically from an experience aspect, considering the youthful identity the club was initially built on. The arrivals of Jonas Hofmann, Granit Xhaka and Álex Grimaldo would all go a long way in adding to the leadership bracket.
Hofmann accumulated a decade-plus of Bundesliga experience, continually knocking on the door for a transfer to a contender with the need for a quick-thinking, versatile No. 10. Xhaka, who was embroiled in a title race of his own with Arsenal last season, returned to Germany as a grizzled vet with sharpened know-how in central midfield.
Grimaldo, a La Masia graduate, brought title-winning pedigree and skill—all for nothing (transfer-wise).
Victor Boniface, the joint top scorer in last season’s Europa League, would be added to the trio to compete with an injury-laden Patrik Schick and, as shown in recent weeks, spurred on the latter. Meanwhile, Nathan Tella was tasked with softening the departure of Moussa Diaby, one of Leverkusen’s greatest acquisitions, who left for Aston Villa, recouping €40 million in profit.
Some rotation figures, like Josip Stanišić and Arthur, would also prove valuable in beefing up the squad with floor-raisers.
All being acquired to slot into a system fine-tuned in the south-west of Salzburg.
As the group of players at his disposal evolved, so did Alonso tactically. The fire-fighter, counterpunch nature that whisked Leverkusen from relegation threat matured into a structure based on control: central progression, counter-pressing, and space occupation—all prominent aspects of Leverkusen's unbeatable form—often committing every player bar their three centre-backs and goalkeeper in the opposing final third.
When their championship pedigree has been questioned, they’ve responded by putting control aside and engaging in the chaos.
Schick, a player who has been married with injury since Alonso’s arrival, proved his value once more, scoring four 90+ minute goals in the last couple of weeks to ensure qualification into the latter rounds of Europe and further strengthen 04’s lead at the top of Germany and closer to history.
All season long, Leverkusen has staved off challenges. They’ve overpowered domestic and continental opposition—Bayern’s defeat in the Klassiker over the weekend almost certainly ensures that their waining threat has been warded off.
The chance of losing Alonso to the likes of Liverpool or Bayern has been pushed back by at least a year, with the relationship with Rolfes playing a crucial role in any talks.
“The players have given me so many reasons to continue believing in the team,” were the words of Alonso during his confirmation of stay.
There’s no doubt that those challenges will rear themselves in the summer. Players will be targeted, as will staff. But Alonso’s stay changes the complexion of the future for many.
The belief shown by him in his players has resonated largely. No matter the opponent, there’s an inevitability in this squad of Leverkusen players that they won’t lose. Alonso’s continuing the calculated project he started in the most Alonso-way possible ensures they won’t be relenting anytime soon.