By Graham Ruthven
By no means one to shirk an argument, even along with his personal followers (as Arsenal supporters will attest), Granit Xhaka ended up within the stands after Bayer Leverkusen’s shock DFB Pokal semifinal exit to third-tier opposition. With Xabi Alonso’s workforce faltering on all fronts, it was a picture to symbolise the frustration that had constructed up over your entire season.
It was at all times going to be troublesome for Leverkusen to duplicate what they achieved final season. Not solely did The Black and Reds win the primary Bundesliga title within the membership’s historical past, they did it unbeaten. It could have been an unbeaten Treble had Atalanta not pulled off a shock win within the Europa League closing.
This season, the Bundesliga title race has been a non-event. Leverkusen are inside six factors of Bayern Munich on the high of the desk, however at no level has it ever appeared doubtless that the defending champions would efficiently defend their crown. Regular service has resumed with the Bavarians again on high.
Some perspective is required, although. Whereas Leverkusen have definitely suffered a drop-off, their present factors tally of 62 factors is the third-most they’ve ever had at this stage of a Bundesliga marketing campaign. The Black and Reds solely want seven extra factors from their closing eight video games to match their second-best tally.
Leverkusen’s internet spend final summer time was simply €20m. In the meantime, Bayern Munich spent €53m on Michael Olise alone 12 months after Harry Kane was signed for €95m. The monetary gulf between the Bavarians and the remainder of the Bundesliga has as soon as once more change into obvious within the desk. Final season was the exception that proved the rule.
And but individually Bayer Leverkusen nonetheless have a lot of gamers working on the peak of their powers. Solely Kane has scored extra Bundesliga objectives this season than Patrik Schick who has made himself the first-choice centre ahead on the Bay Enviornment, dislodging Victor Boniface who got here near leaving for Saudi Arabia in January.
No one has registered extra Bundesliga assists than Florian Wirtz who has made one other step up since final season. Together with Jamal Musiala, the 21-year-old is seen as the longer term face of German soccer and is the participant round whom Alonso has moulded his Leverkusen workforce. All the pieces is geared in the direction of Wirtz.
Others, nevertheless, have struggled to maintain up their efficiency ranges. Final season, Álex Grimaldo created 18 Large Probabilities within the Bundesliga, rating him second within the league on this metric. This season, the left wing again is ranked fifteenth having generated 9 Large Probabilities. Bayern have three gamers ranked forward of him.
Xhaka hasn’t been the identical dominating presence within the centre of the pitch. The Swiss worldwide was the very best midfielder within the Bundesliga final season. This season, Leverkusen have been worse off for Xhaka struggling a dip in his statistics out and in of possession. He hasn’t been the identical driving drive.
Defensively, Alonso has scrambled for solidity. He has chopped and altered from sport to sport with Mario Hermoso signed on mortgage from Roma in January to supply an alternative choice. Leverkusen stored a clear sheet within the 1-0 win over Heidenheim final weekend, however that was the primary shut-out recorded by Alonso’s workforce in 5 matches.
Leverkusen’s frustration which surfaced after the DFK Pokal defeat to Arminia Bielefeld certainly has its root within the reality they’ve run right into a stronger Bayern Munich this workforce. Not simply content material with bettering their rivals within the Bundesliga, the Bavarians additionally eradicated Alonso’s aspect from the Champions League within the spherical of 16.
In the end, this season might show to be Alonso’s final on the Bay Enviornment. Current studies declare Actual Madrid have held talks with the previous midfielder as Carlo Ancelotti’s future grows more and more unsure. Different names have been talked about, however Alonso is the standout candidate. Having achieved a lot on the Santiago Bernabéu as a participant, the previous midfielder might quickly return as a supervisor.
In fact, many believed Alonso was destined to go away Leverkusen final summer time when Bayern Munich and Liverpool had been each looking for a brand new supervisor. As a substitute, the Spaniard stayed, enthused by the chance to make an influence within the Champions League. Alonso additionally talked about turning one Bundesliga title into two.
Neither of these issues occurred, however Bayer Leverkusen have remained traditionally robust. Alonso has remoulded The Black and Reds in his personal picture. He has established a set of rules and values that ought to maintain Leverkusen after he leaves. This season may not carry silverware, however this has nonetheless been a golden interval.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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