INTRODUCTION
Bayer Leverkusen have assumed a dangerous position in German, remaining unbeaten for the last 33 games, and seemingly in a position to dethrone the giants, Bayern Munich. The amazing journey that the club has followed from being near relegation to topping the table is due to the revolutionary tactics of Spanish manager Xabi Alonso. Alonso, having played under Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti, while also having been a midfielder with a great understanding of the game, was seemingly always set up for success in the managerial position. Let’s look at some of Xabi’s tactics that make Leverkusen formidable. The analysis is split into 2 sections.
MOVEMENT WITHOUT THE BALL
When out of possession, Leverkusen play in a 5-2-2-1 with a strong low block. The pressing pattern of Gegenpressing, characterized by Klopp, is used at a very high quality in Leverkusen. Their pressing strategy involves zonal pressing where players rush into areas with the ball. The pressing is usually dictated by the front 3 (Wirtz, Boniface and Hoffman), who make aggressive runs, while the center midfielders and two center backs push forward to cover the double pivot, preventing center passes. In case the opposition wingbacks look to play into the flanks, one of the wingbacks (Grimaldo or Frimpong) push forward while the center backs move back to their position, and one wide center back moves in to take their place. This creates a very intelligent line of defense that is extremely hard to bypass. Their pressing pattern also involves players rushing into areas with the ball, while a trap is set in the middle of the field with 2 center midfielders and two center backs that push forward. This combination results in turnovers or clearances. If the press is bypassed, the wingback and 2 CBs immediately track back and look to slow down the attack, while the rest of the team readjusts to 5-2-2-1.
MOVEMENT WITH THE BALL
When in possession, the formation shifts to a 3-2-5, with both wing backs pressing forward and assuming the role of a winger. Positional play is of importance, while also utilizing the Spanish short pass method around the back. For buildup play, the left back (usually) Grimaldo drops back into the usual position, while the right back (usually Frimpong) progresses forward, and the center back fills in this place. This leads to a 4-2-2-2 (Frimpong and Boniface as the front 2) or 4-2-4 formation, where more players are involved in buildup play, making it easier to bypass presses. During buildup, the opposition’s back 4 can be pinned using either the 2 forwards moving into spaces, or the wingers pushing high. The narrowness of Leverkusen’s midfielders and the width of their attacking midfielders (usually Wirtz and Hoffmann) lead to easy passes from the center backs to the attacking midfielders during man to man marking. The center backs look to pass the ball around in the back, and if no space is found, they often put in long balls to the no. 10s, leading to dangerous attacking threats. Additionally, the central midfielders like Xhaka and Palacios, who are very good on the ball, play a very important role in controlling tempo, as well as playing positional passes during buildup. Rotation in positions is common between the LWB, left no.10 and a CM or the RWB, right no. 10 and an RCB, leading to a sort of asymmetrical attack, where buildup is focused on the left flank, while plays are usually finished on the right flank. If there is no press, one of the wide CBs penetrates the center, while the left back remains forward, allowing more players to get involved in the buildup. When in possession, they pass it around, switching sides, looking for defense gaps, like Manchester City. This process is slow and intricate, but often leads to good chances.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, these are the defensive, offensive, and buildup tactics of Xabi Alonso that make Bayer Leverkusen one of the best teams in Europe.