It’s a day to be marked with a white stone for the residents of the BayArena. For its 120th anniversary, Bayer Leverkusen gave itself the greatest gift of all: a first German championship title in its history. Enjoying until now an unflattering reputation across the Rhine due to its very meager record (a UEFA Cup in 1988 as well as a German Cup in 1993) and for having come close to becoming offering a historic treble during the 2002 season, the team from North Rhine-Westphalia can now dispel their cumbersome nickname “Neverkusen” which stuck so closely to them. If it also deprives Bayern Munich of a twelfth title in a row, this success above all rewards the incredible performance of Xabi Alonso’s men. Certainly, no one expected to see the Werkself dethrone the Bavarians and win the Grail (especially with six days remaining), but the supporters still had reason to be optimistic given the start of the season made by their players .
A pace of 100km/h to crack Bayern Munich!
While the previous season ended with a series of seven games without a win, the semi-finalist of the last Europa League made a record start to the year by collecting 31 points out of 33 possible (thus equaling the record held by the Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich in 2015-2016 after 11 days). Like a steamroller, Bayer Leverkusen continued to disgust the competition while taking advantage of the missteps of its main rivals to widen the gap at the top of the standings. Thus, confidence began to win over the ranks of the Pillendrehers. “If we can continue like this, then we are on the right track to have a good season”, conceded in this respect Xabi Alonso on the sidelines of a new demonstration of power against Cologne (3-0). Posting 45 points at the end of the first leg, four more than Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen secured the honorary title of autumn champion. Still in the race in the Europa League as well as the German Cup, the B04 now had to confirm over time. Passing the start of winter without incident, Xabi Alonso’s players sent yet another signal to the competition by slapping Bayern Munich at the BayArena (3-0, 21st day of the Bundesliga), who could only note the superiority of their opponent after such a debacle.
It was also difficult for Thomas Tuchel’s protégés to get back up afterwards. Gradually sinking into a crisis of results, the latter lost ground on their rival as the days passed. Still undefeated, Bayer Leverkusen continued on its merry way, despite the numerous interests of European leaders in their coach – logically a victim of his success – who could have considerably disrupted his crazy season. It did not happen. While Xabi Alonso clarified his future once and for all last March, Leverkusen flew towards the title. Coming off a new poor performance against Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich abandoned all hope of a title and tipped its hat to the Westphalian rival. “Congratulations to Bayer Leverkusen!”declared Thomas Tuchel before being joined by Thomas Müller: “From an emotional point of view, we’re not going to lie, it was a hard blow to see that Leverkusen, once again, won. With ten points behind, we already need a miracle, and they still manage to win.” From start to finish, Bayer Leverkusen would have demonstrated a consistency of which only Xabi Alonso seems to have the secret.
Xabi Alonso, the architect who quickly imposed his mark
Arriving at short notice a year and a half ago, Xabi Alonso certainly did not expect the transplant to take so quickly. 17th upon arrival, Leverkusen finally ended the European season with a long-unattainable 6th place. A season of running-in, of configuration, which had given rise to some reasons for hope, but not to the extent of today. Obviously, the Spanish coach and his 3-4-3 are inseparable from this success (42 matches without defeat this season). Faithful to his convictions, Xabi Alonso has implemented a system focused on the offensive, with a transition game perfectly matching the qualities of his pistons, fundamental in the animation of his team. Above all, the 2010 world champion frequently reaffirms his desire to give his players freedom, because for him, talent expresses itself.
This is how we can sometimes find Florian Wirtz, the artist of this team, in the position of winger or false number nine. In terms of communication, Alonso also showed that he knew how to pull on the heartstrings to convince. Carlo Ancelotti, sometimes, in the text. “When we talk about convincing players, or how to have a good relationship with players, Carlo Ancelotti is a master for everyone”he declared to theAFP last November. But every master has a disciple, and obviously, Ancelotti’s is called Alonso, led by the Italian at Real Madrid in 2014. The sense of history would also like the handover to take place between both men on the Madrid bench in the future. But not for next season, that’s for sure, because Alonso has the lead in Leverkusen.
A talented group with impressive individuals
Providential guide of an offensive collective, Xabi Alonso was also able to count on a talented group throughout the season. If the symphony has, until now, been played without a single false note, certain elements of the Pillendreher have taken on the role of conductor. With this in mind, how can we not mention the return to grace of Florian Wirtz. Stopped in his tracks after a serious injury, the native of Pulheim is today one of the references to his position. Coveted by the biggest names in Europe, the young 20-year-old attacking midfielder can boast 14 goals and 18 assists in 40 matches in all competitions. A true playing master of this formation, the 1m77 right-hander continues to shine with his above-average technical abilities and a sparkling vision of the game. In his wake, Victor Boniface has also long attacked the residents of the BayArena. If an injury slowed down his enthusiasm, the defector from Union Saint-Gilloise, who arrived last summer, will have had the merit of launching his team’s season perfectly. At the head of 17 goals and 9 offerings in 26 matches in all competitions, he will remain, as such, one of the great architects of this historic season.
To conclude, if Leverkusen also had its share of challenges to overcome with significant absences in defense due to the African Cup of Nations, the performance displayed by the pistons of the club founded in 1904 will also remain as a factor explanation of this resounding success. In a playing system with three defenders, the full-backs Alejandro Grimaldo (9 goals and 12 assists) and Jeremie Frimpong (8 goals and 8 offerings) have, in fact, splashed this 2023-2024 exercise with their talent. Behind Victor Boniface (10 goals in the Bundesliga), these are the two most prolific men in the collective led to perfection by Xabi Alonso. More than impressive individuals, this Bayer, inclined towards the offensive, will finally have distinguished itself by its extra soul. A fan of the almost mystical Trafalgar shots, the new German champion will finally have regularly recovered precious points on the gong when all seemed lost. An art ultimately reminiscent of the signing of the biggest European teams like Real Madrid or Manchester United during the era of Sir Alex Ferguson. From now on, Wirtz and others will have to be careful not to get lost on the way to try to grab two additional titles – German Cup and Europa League – to their list of achievements while extending their crazy series of invincibility.
