Since Xabi Alonso’s appointment in October, Bayer 04 Leverkusen has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from a struggling team ranked 17th to one of the strongest forces in German football. Alonso has implemented a well-organized, high-intensity style of football that propelled the team into a position to qualify for the Europa League.
Xabi Alonso’s Football Philosophy on Leverkusen
Alonso’s tactical approach revolves around a 3-4-3 formation, focusing on dictating the game’s flow and possession. While Leverkusen enjoyed the 5th highest average possession in the Bundesliga last season (52%), Alonso’s game plan is not centered on possession for the sake of it. Instead, the team employs specific patterns of play to swiftly transition from defense to attack and create goalscoring opportunities.
In the 3-4-3 formation, the defense, consisting of players like Odilon Kossounou, Jonathan Tah, and Piero Hincapié, spreads across the pitch, utilizing the full width and excelling in defense-to-attack transitions.
The central midfield trio of Robert Andrich, Kerem Demirbay, and Exequiel Palacios plays crucial roles in achieving balance between defense and attack. While Demirbay and Andrich provide stability in front of the backline, Palacios takes up a more energetic box-to-box role, boasting impressive defensive stats and contributing to the team’s attacking prowess.
The fullback positions have been crucial for Alonso’s setup. Mitchel Bakker’s mature defensive positioning and Jeremie Frimpong’s attacking talent have been notable, with Frimpong proving to be a world-class goal threat from an advanced wingback role.
Leverkusen key players
Moussa Diaby’s remarkable versatility and goal-scoring prowess have firmly established him as an indispensable asset for Bayer Leverkusen. His unique ability to drift inward while maintaining the capacity to create space out wide has been instrumental in the team’s success. Throughout the season, Diaby’s impressive record of 33 starts, 9 goals, and 8 assists, coupled with an average of 2.4 shots per game, showcases his effectiveness as a forward. Furthermore, his contribution in creating 14 big chances highlights his impact as a playmaker, making him a key figure in Leverkusen’s attacking endeavors. Diaby’s dynamic skill set has proven to be a driving force behind the team’s achievements, solidifying his status as one of the standout performers for the club.
Jeremie Frimpong, a talented 22-year-old right-footed player, has showcased his versatility and immense potential at Bayer Leverkusen, making him a highly sought-after talent in the footballing world. Capable of excelling as a right back or wing back, Frimpong’s performances throughout the season have drawn attention from top clubs, including Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Real Madrid. With an impressive record of 32 starts, 8 goals, and 7 assists, Frimpong’s attacking contributions have been exceptional. His ability to create 5 big chances and deliver 1.3 key passes per game demonstrates his creative flair and vision on the field. Moreover, Frimpong’s passing accuracy has been commendable, with an 81% accuracy in his own half and 75% in the opposition half. Notably, he is not only proficient in going forward but also exhibits a strong defensive work ethic. With an average of 1.6 tackles and 0.5 interceptions per game, Frimpong showcases his determination to contribute defensively. Winning 56% of his total duels, including 58% of ground duels, exemplifies his tenacity in one-on-one situations. Although aerial duels are not his forte, he still manages to secure 34% of them. Overall, Jeremie Frimpong’s impressive skill set and all-around abilities have rightfully earned him the admiration of top clubs and further solidified his potential as a future football star.
Robert Andrich, the talented 28-year-old German midfielder standing at 189 cm and favoring his right foot, has exhibited a range of strengths on the pitch, most notably his exceptional positioning and ball control. However, it is crucial to acknowledge his weakness in terms of discipline. With 28 starts to his name, Andrich has contributed 2 goals and 2 assists, showcasing his ability to make an impact in the attacking phase. His average of 61.0 touches per game, along with impressive passing accuracies of 88% in his own half and 78% in the opposition half, illustrate his effectiveness in maintaining possession and distributing the ball. Defensively, Andrich has proven to be a force to be reckoned with, registering 1.4 interceptions and 2.1 tackles per game. His tenacity on the pitch is evident in his ability to win 0.1 possession and his resilience in ground duels, where he has triumphed in 61% of his encounters. Additionally, he boasts a success rate of 57% in aerial duels, despite it not being his primary strength. Beyond his technical abilities, Andrich’s unyielding mentality shines through; he is a hardened midfield fighter, unafraid to commit to strong challenges to provide Leverkusen’s attacking stars with the freedom to thrive further up the pitch.
Xabi Alonso’s Tactical Approach
Having played under several world-class managers, including José Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Pep Guardiola, and Rafa Benitez, Alonso’s preferred style is a three-man defense guarded by a single pivot or double pivot. Leverkusen switches between a 3-4-3 and a 5-3-2 formation, depending on the phase of play.
One of Leverkusen’s weaknesses lies in their mixed-marking out-of-possession approach. This approach sometimes leaves space behind the midfield, which opponents can exploit.
Alonso emphasizes dominating possession and building play from the back to the front. Leverkusen has transitioned from a four-defender and two-pivot system to a three-defender setup, with the pivot player acting as the focal point to receive the ball centrally.
Xabi Alonso’s influence on the central midfield trio, featuring Kerem Demirbay, Robert Andrich, and Exequiel Palacios, has been evident. The players’ performances have improved significantly under his guidance.
Under Alonso’s coaching, Leverkusen has adopted a high-pressing approach, putting pressure on opponents right from the start of their build-up play. The wing-backs play a crucial role in pressing the opposition’s full-backs and wing-backs, while the central midfielders offer support.
Leverkusen’s success hinges on finding the right replacement for Diaby and perhaps adding another striker. As of now, Alonso’s tactics are proving effective, but the journey continues.
Catch you in the next one.