2024 will go down in history as the year in which Leverkusen stopped being ‘Neverkusen’. Bayer won the first Bundesliga in its history – putting an end to the 11 that Bayern had previously -, won the Cup… and were crowned runners-up in the Europa League. Atalanta, in fact, ended their streak of 51 games in the ‘old UEFA’ final!!! without losing.
“Thank you for the gift of our lives,” read the banner that the fans of the team led by the Spanish Fernando Carro dedicated to their ‘heroes’ after beating Freiburg (5-1) with four goals! by Patrik Schick in the last game of the year at the BayArena.
Leverkusen’s 2024 has been so good that ‘Kicker’ has named Xabi Alonso ‘Personality of the Year’ in Germany: “He achieved historic things with his team while impressing as a coach and person.”
They started the season by winning the Super Cup (on penalties) against Stuttgart, but it was difficult for the ‘Xabineta’ to start the 2023-24 Bundesliga. He surely paid for the physical and psychological effort he made the previous season, with several comebacks ‘in extremis’, trying to extend his record of undefeated games: he scored 18 goals!!! from minute 90 onwards.
The Basque coach joined Hradecky, team captain, in a one-on-one celebration with the team’s fans in the stadium stands.
Suddenly, on matchday 10, they found themselves 9 points behind Bayern. The story, this time, was the other way around. Bayer saw Holstein (penultimate) tie them (2-2) after leading 2-0 and Bochum (bottom) and Werder Bremenle tie, respectively, in the 89th and 90th minutes.
Against Heidenheim – they were down 0-2 in the 21st minute – they seemed to hit rock bottom. More, if possible, without the injured Boniface. Suddenly, the champion ‘rose from the canvas’ to win 5-2 with a hat-trick from Patrik Schick.
The team led by Xabi Alonso, who still have not lost against the Bavarians, took advantage of Neuer’s expulsion in the first half
The comeback ‘resurrected’ Leverkusen, which, since that moment, has had eight consecutive victories: five in the League, two in the Champions League and one in the Cup. In fact, in the Pokal they reached the quarterfinals – Cologne awaits – defeating Bayern ( 0-1) at the Allianz Arena.
Leverkusen’s eight consecutive victories
Bayer Leverkusen 5-2 Heidenheim (Bundesliga)Bayer Leverkusen 5-0 Salzburg (Champions)Union Berlin 1-2 Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga)Bayern 0-1 Bayer Leverkusen (Cup)Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 St. Pauli (Bundesliga)Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 Inter (Champions) Augsburg 0-2 Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga)Bayer Leverkusen 5-1 Freiburg
“We are on the right path”
A spectacular streak that allows them to face the second leg of the season with options on all fronts: they are second in the League – two points behind Bayern -, they are in the quarterfinals of the Cup and they are ‘on track’ to progress to the round of 16 of the Champions League: He is fourth with 13 points.
Bayer Leverkusen 5-1 Freiburg: summary and goals | Bundesliga (J15)
“After the break we will return at full speed. We are on the right path. We have positive feelings,” acknowledged Xabi Alonso, who has not lost against Bayern: he has three wins and two draws.
After the break we will return at full speed. We have positive feelings
Xabi Alonso
“Having only one plan is dangerous”
The ‘Xabineta’ had no problems taking a ‘swing’ – Alonso modified the classic 1-3-4-2-1 against St. Pauli and Unión Berlin – before introducing the ‘turbo’. “We don’t want to have just one style, we want to develop so we don’t always do the same thing. Having only one plan is dangerous,” emphasizes the Tolosarra.
In the individual chapter, there are several names to highlight in Leverkusen’s recovery. Schick has contributed nine goals to the last eight wins. In that same period, Wirtz has five goals and six assists and Grimaldo has one goal and four assists. Furthermore, Xhaka has once again been the ‘lighthouse’ around which everything revolves.
Bayer Leverkusen breaks Inter’s undefeated record with a goal from Mukiele in the 89th minute
“We have gone ‘in crescendo’, but there is still room to do better. I hope we are not in full shape yet,” Alonso remarks.
There is still room to do better
Xabi Alonso
The former Real Madrid player is delighted with the role of ‘outsider’: “We are still in December. It is early and we must continue to be humble. The classification is not important at the moment.” Look out Bayern. In the rearview mirror comes the ‘Xabineta’ with full sail.