Bayer Leverkusen's Fairy Tale Season
The Magic of Xabi Alonso and the Power of Team Spirit
Bayer Leverkusen's 2023/24 season is a story that will be told for generations. It’s a tale of remarkable teamwork, resilience, and a young but brilliant coach in Xabi Alonso, who has masterfully guided his side to unprecedented heights.
This fairytale season has left fans in awe and pundits scrambling for superlatives. Here's an in-depth look at what makes this season so special and the crucial role that Alonso and his players have played.
Leverkusen's staggering record of 49 successive games without defeat in all competitions has turned heads across Europe. The record-breaking run includes an impressive 40 victories, with a mix of tactical brilliance and unyielding team spirit.
It means Leverkusen has bettered Benfica's December 1963 to February 1965 unbeaten run that was led by the legend Eusebio.
The team's relentless energy and fighting spirit have resulted in crucial late goals, none more dramatic than Josip Stanisic's equalizer in the 97th minute against Roma in the Europa League semi-final. A season that has provided so many late goals and is a testament to them never giving up, reminiscent of the Manchester United teams under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Xabi Alonso: A Mastermind at Work
The architect behind this phenomenal season is head coach Xabi Alonso, who, in just his second season in charge, has transformed Leverkusen into a European powerhouse. Alonso's tactical acumen, combined with his ability to inspire and unite players, has been pivotal in this journey.
In a press conference after their Europa League semi-final win, Alonso reflected on his team's success:
"We'll play two finals in a week as a result," Alonso said. "We showed great character today after their second goal. I looked my players in the eye afterwards and saw that they wanted more.
"We still have the chance to win three titles. And my boys deserve all three titles."
Alonso's philosophy is rooted in discipline, hard work, and a positive never-say-die attitude. His experience as a player at the highest level with clubs like Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich has provided him with the knowledge and composure needed to lead a team through challenging moments.
Let’s not forget, Alonso was part of that incredible Liverpool fightback against AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final so he knows what it takes to get a job done, even against the odds. He scored the third to bring the game level.
The unity within the Leverkusen squad is palpable. Players speak highly of Alonso's leadership and the positive environment he has fostered. The team's camaraderie is evident on the pitch, with players supporting each other and fighting until the final whistle. This has been a key factor in Leverkusen's ability to score crucial late goals and maintain their unbeaten run.
Leverkusen's ambitions are clear—they are on track for a treble, having already secured the Bundesliga title, reached the Europa League final, and booked a spot in the German Cup final. This level of success is a testament to the team's resilience and Alonso's tactical brilliance.
Let’s not forget, Alonso took charge of the club on October 5, 2022, as second bottom team in the league
Leverkusen's season culminates with the Europa League final against Atalanta on May 22nd and the German Cup final on May 25th. Regardless of the outcome, this season will be remembered as a fairytale run, with Alonso at the helm and a team that played with heart and passion.
In the words of Leverkusen captain Granit Xhaka:
"You see the desire from the team, we didn't want to slow down. We wanted to score the next goal to keep going unbeaten, 49 times now. We are proud of it."
Thanks for reading, David Skilling
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Disclaimer: The thoughts and ideas presented are personal opinions and are for entertainment purposes only. The ideas presented here are my opinions at the date of writing and may change in the future.