The Brilliance of Bayer Leverkusen's Season
Bayer Leverkusen has had an impressive season in the Bundesliga. Here are some key points highlighting their achievements:
Brilliant Start
After a remarkable turnaround last season under the leadership of Alonso, Bayer Leverkusen entered the current season with a positive outlook. However, when the fixture list was released, there may have been some apprehension within the club.
The opening game at home against RB Leipzig, the reigning DFB Cup holders and recent Supercup winners, presented a formidable challenge. This was followed by an away visit to rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach. A home match against newly promoted Darmstadt was seen as a crucial opportunity to secure a win before the international break. The subsequent trip to face Bayern Munich on the opening weekend of Oktoberfest added to the testing start to the season.
These first four matchdays had the potential to swing either way and would set the tone for the rest of the campaign. So far, the team has risen to the occasion. Impressive victories against Leipzig (3-2), Gladbach (3-0), and Darmstadt (5-1) have established a strong foundation. The team's performance has set up a highly anticipated clash with Bayern Munich, a top-of-the-table encounter.
The early success against tough opponents has demonstrated Bayer Leverkusen's ability to compete at the highest level. It has also instilled confidence and created a positive atmosphere within the club. The team's statement wins have laid a solid groundwork for the remainder of the season, with hopes of continued success.
The visit to the Allianz Arena brought a different challenge for Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen. For the first time in the season, they had to deal with falling behind rather than protecting and expanding their lead.
Despite going behind twice, Leverkusen showed great character by coming back to earn a 2-2 draw. Granit Xhaka praised the team's resilience, stating, "I think we showed big character today to be down two times here, 1-0 and 2-1. To come back showed big character from the team." The result was deemed fair by players and coaches from both sides.
This draw kept Leverkusen ahead of Bayern Munich, both teams still undefeated, on goal difference. It also equalled their best-ever tally after four games in the Bundesliga, with 10 points.
Interestingly, the draw in Munich turned out to be just a blip for Bayer Leverkusen. They went on to win their next eight Bundesliga games in a row. Momentum was briefly halted with back-to-back 1-1 draws against Borussia Dortmund and VfB Stuttgart, who were fourth and third in the standings at the time. However, they quickly returned to winning ways with a 3-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt at home.
Ending 2023 with a resounding 4-0 win against Bochum, there were concerns that Leverkusen might stumble upon their return in 2024. However, they snatched a 94th-minute winner away at Augsburg thanks to Exequiel Palacios. This result raised questions about whether Leverkusen could be the champions in waiting
In summary, Leverkusen's draw in Munich proved to be only a minor setback as they went on a winning streak in the Bundesliga. The team's character, resilience, and ability to come back from behind have been key factors in their successful run. Their strong performances have raised hopes of a potential title challenge.
Bayer Leverkusen's performance in the current season has been nothing short of remarkable, breaking several club and Bundesliga records. After 17 games played, they have accumulated 45 points and scored 47 goals, both of which are club records at this stage of the season. Only two teams, both under Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich in the 2015/16 and 2013/14 seasons, have achieved a better points haul at this point in a Bundesliga campaign.
Their success extends beyond the domestic league. Leverkusen achieved a perfect record in the UEFA Europa League group stage, winning all six matches. This accomplishment makes them one of only 12 clubs to achieve a 100 percent record in the competition. Additionally, they have progressed to the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup after securing three more victories.
Notably, Bayer Leverkusen remains the only team across Europe's top 54 divisions to have not lost a competitive fixture in the 2023/24 season. They have set a new record for the longest unbeaten start to a season by a German club, surpassing Hamburg's 24-game unbeaten start in 1982/83. Furthermore, they set a new club record for the most Bundesliga games won in a calendar year with 22 victories, surpassing their previous record of 21 wins achieved in 2000 and 2013.
These achievements highlight the exceptional form and consistency of Bayer Leverkusen in the current season. Their record-breaking performances in both domestic and European competitions have solidified their status as one of the top teams in German football.
Shrewd Acquisitions
During the summer transfer window, Bayern Munich made headlines with the signing of England captain Harry Kane, overshadowing Bayer Leverkusen's impressive work in the market. The departure of last season's top scorer, Moussa Diaby, initially caught attention. However, Leverkusen still had budget remaining from the Diaby deal, allowing them to make significant signings.
Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka arrived from Arsenal, bringing valuable experience and serving as a vocal presence in midfield under Alonso's guidance. Jonas Hofmann, a proven Bundesliga player, joined from Borussia Mönchengladbach, boasting impressive attacking statistics.
To fill the left wing-back position, Alejandro Grimaldo arrived on a free transfer from Benfica, providing stability in a previously unsettled position. Up front, Victor Boniface, the top scorer in the previous season's Europa League, joined Bayer Leverkusen, adding firepower to their attacking options.
These signings demonstrate Leverkusen's astute transfer strategy and their ability to strengthen the squad despite the departure of key players. The club's work in the market went somewhat under the radar due to the attention surrounding Bayern Munich's high-profile signing. Nonetheless, Leverkusen's acquisitions have proven to be valuable additions to the team.
The new signings for Bayer Leverkusen, including Granit Xhaka, Jonas Hofmann, and Alejandro Grimaldo, have seamlessly integrated into the team and made immediate impacts. The squad has demonstrated excellent cohesion, with head coach Alonso fielding the same starting lineup in 10 out of the first 16 Bundesliga games. This continuity has allowed the team to develop a strong understanding and chemistry on the field. The depth of the squad has been utilized effectively in European and cup games, all of which were won.
Despite the absence of key players due to the Africa Cup of Nations and injuries, Alonso has shown that he has a solid backup plan. He has options and cover in every position, ensuring that the team remains competitive even in the absence of key personnel. This depth and flexibility would be the envy of many coaches.
The return of Patrik Schick, who was joint-top scorer at UEFA Euro 2020, adds further quality and depth to the squad. Schick demonstrated his abilities with a hat-trick against Bochum, showcasing the talent within the team.
Captain and goalkeeper Lukáš Hrádecký praised the professionalism and quality brought by the new signings, highlighting their positive impact on the squad.
The overall picture is that Bayer Leverkusen has built a strong squad with quality signings who have seamlessly integrated into the team. The depth and flexibility within the squad, as well as the return of key players, bode well for their continued success in the season.
Destroying teams
Under Alonso's leadership, Bayer Leverkusen has shown convincing evidence of making an impact on the pitch. Their attacking prowess has been impressive throughout the season, highlighted by a club-record 47 goals scored in just 17 matchdays.
With the exception of a couple of draws and a narrow victory, Leverkusen has consistently scored two or more goals in every league fixture. Only five of their 14 Bundesliga wins have been by a one-goal margin. This demonstrates their ability to convert their attacking prowess into tangible results.
Led by German playmakers Jonas Hofmann and Florian Wirtz, Leverkusen has moved beyond playing attractive football and is now making their attacking prowess count. They rank second in the league for shots on goal, trailing only Bayern Munich, which is the benchmark for German clubs. In terms of shot efficiency, only Borussia Mönchengladbach has been more clinical than Leverkusen, with a +9.0 efficiency rating (indicating they have scored nine more goals than expected). Leverkusen follows closely with a +5.6 efficiency rating. When considering expected goals (xG), only Bayern Munich (46.3) ranks higher than Leverkusen (41.4).
The supply lines into Victor Boniface, who has already won the Bundesliga Rookie of the Month award four times, have been relentless. Boniface leads the league in shots on goal, with 75 attempts, surpassing Loïs Openda's 71 shots. He has contributed 10 goals and seven assists, showcasing his impact in the opposition's box and even from deeper positions, as he nearly demonstrated against Bayern Munich.
Overall, Bayer Leverkusen's attacking prowess, goal-scoring record, and the relentless performances of players like Boniface have been key factors in their success this season. Under Alonso's guidance, they have transformed into a team that not only plays attractive football but also consistently delivers results.
Bayer Leverkusen, alongside RB Leipzig, is the only team in the Bundesliga with more than one player in the top 10 for most passes leading to a shot. Florian Wirtz ranks seventh with 39 passes, Jonas Hofmann ranks ninth with 37 passes, and Jeremie Frimpong is just outside the top 10 with 32 passes. This statistic highlights the team's ability to create scoring opportunities through their passing game.
Furthermore, Leverkusen boasts five players with at least five assists so far this season. Victor Boniface and Florian Wirtz lead the way with seven assists each, followed by Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo with six assists each, and Jonas Hofmann with five assists. Only six players in the league have more assists than Leverkusen's top assist providers.
These statistics demonstrate the team's effectiveness in creating and converting scoring opportunities. Leverkusen's players have been instrumental in their attacking success, with Boniface, Wirtz, Frimpong, Grimaldo, and Hofmann all contributing significantly to the team's goal-scoring efforts.
Fantastic everywhere
Bayer Leverkusen's head coach, Alonso, was a playmaker during his playing career, and he understands the importance of dominating games. He recognizes that having quality in the final third and a consistent supply line can lead to goals. However, his initial focus at the BayArena has been on shoring up other areas of the team.
It took some time for Alonso to find the right system and personnel, but he has now achieved the balance he desires with a 3-4-3 formation. This formation features five designated defenders and five attackers, allowing Leverkusen to maintain defensive solidity while posing a significant attacking threat.
Leverkusen ranks second in possession, with around 58 percent of the ball, slightly higher than last season. However, the real difference lies in their effectiveness with the ball. They are relentless in moving the ball around the pitch and lead the league in touches. Leverkusen also tops the charts for the number of passes made in the opposition half, with an impressive 5,976 passes. Their pass completion rate in the opposition half stands at 88.5 percent, which is comparable to their overall pass completion rate and just marginally below the usually dominant Bayern Munich.
These statistics highlight Leverkusen's ability to control the game and create scoring opportunities through their possession-based style of play. The team's relentless passing and ability to find teammates in the final third have been key factors in their attacking success. Leverkusen's performances in terms of possession and passing efficiency have been commendable, positioning them as one of the top teams in the Bundesliga.
Bayer Leverkusen's midfield duo of Granit Xhaka and Exequiel Palacios rank among the top three players in the Bundesliga for most touches. Their influence on the team is similar to how Alonso was as a player, with everything going through them. The passing statistics of Xhaka and Palacios have improved compared to the previous season, highlighting their impact on the team's style of play and overall confidence.
Xhaka and Palacios have become instrumental in Leverkusen's midfield, inspiring the team with their passion, ideas, and ability to distribute the ball effectively. Their contributions have been recognized by their teammate Alejandro Grimaldo, who praised their influence on the team's upward trajectory.
Additionally, Jonathan Tah, who seemed destined to leave the club last season, has experienced a resurgence under Alonso's guidance. As the main defender in the back three, Tah delivered an outstanding performance against Bayern Munich, completing 100 percent of his passes from 56 attempts.
The overall impact of Xhaka, Palacios, and Alonso's influence on Leverkusen's style of play and the performances of individual players like Tah showcases the positive changes brought about by the former pass master.
Under Alonso's guidance, Bayer Leverkusen has displayed impressive defensive capabilities, conceding the fewest goals in the league, with only 12 goals allowed and seven from open play in the 2023/24 season.
Alonso emphasizes hard work as a core value in his approach to coaching. Leverkusen's players showcased their work ethic by outrunning Bayern Munich by a margin of four kilometers (2.5 miles) during a match at the Allianz Arena. Additionally, Leverkusen leads last season's top six teams by a significant margin when it comes to sprints towards the opposition goal, indicating their determination and attacking intent.
While Leverkusen remains a work in progress under Alonso's leadership, all the necessary ingredients for success appear to be in place. The team's defensive solidity and commitment, combined with their attacking prowess, provide a strong foundation. The question now is whether Leverkusen can fully harness these elements and achieve their full potential under Alonso's guidance.
