Revolutionizing European Football: The Rise of Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen
One of the most remarkable stories in European football this season has been the incredible rise of Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen. The Spanish tactician has transformed a struggling team into a powerhouse, leading them to unprecedented success in the 2011-2012 season.
Madridista Characteristics
One of the defining characteristics of this Leverkusen side under Xabi Alonso is their ability to perform miracles in the dying minutes of games, much like they did on Thursday night. The team has staged six comebacks this season, with an impressive 80% of them coming within regular time. This never-say-die attitude mirrors that of the famous Real Madrid side and has been a driving force behind their success in recent years.
It’s worth noting that Leverkusen was languishing in the relegation zone in October 2022 when Xabi Alonso took over as manager. In the same year, the Tolosa native guided the team to a sixth-place finish, earning them a spot in the UEFA Europa League final on May 22 at the Dublin Arena.
In addition to clinching the league title in gameweek 29 with a resounding victory over Werder Bremen, Bayer Leverkusen is now eyeing a historic treble. They have a chance to lift not only the Europa League trophy but also the German Cup, with a final against Kaiserslautern just three days after the European showdown.
Individual Performances
Who would have predicted at the start of the season that Xabi Alonso would not only elevate the performance of a Bayer Leverkusen side that had never won a Bundesliga title but also turn several players into superstars? Florian Wirtz, rumored to be a target for Real Madrid as a replacement for Kroos, has been one of the standout performers this season. Then there’s Grimaldo, who Alonso helped earn a call-up to the Spanish national team. Not to mention, he is the highest-scoring defender in Europe with 11 goals and the top assist provider with 18 assists.
In summary, Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen has etched its name in European football history. However, the true test of their potential will come next season when they face a determined Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga and compete against the best in Europe in the Champions League.
a los grandes de Europa en la UEFA Champions League, un torneo en el que seguro dar mucho que hablar. Sin duda, el trabajo de Xabi Alonso al frente de este equipo ha sido excepcional y ha llevado al Leverkusen a alcanzar cotas nunca antes vistas en su historia.
