Bayer Leverkusen have failed to match the standard they set for themselves last season, but some perspective is required.
Never one to shirk an argument, even with his own fans (as Arsenal supporters will attest), Granit Xhaka ended up in the stands after Bayer Leverkusen’s shock DFB Pokal semifinal exit to third-tier opposition. With Xabi Alonso’s team faltering on all fronts, it was an image to symbolise the frustration that had built up over the entire season.
It was always going to be difficult for Leverkusen to replicate what they achieved last season. Not only did The Black and Reds win the first Bundesliga title in the club’s history, they did it unbeaten. It would have been an unbeaten Treble had Atalanta not pulled off a surprise win in the Europa League final.
This season, the Bundesliga title race has been a non-event. Leverkusen are within six points of Bayern Munich at the top of the table, but at no point has it ever seemed likely that the defending champions would successfully defend their crown. Normal service has resumed with the Bavarians back on top.
Some perspective is required, though. While Leverkusen have certainly suffered a drop-off, their current points tally of 62 points is the third-most they have ever had at this stage of a Bundesliga campaign. The Black and Reds only need seven more points from their final eight games to match their second-best tally.
Leverkusen’s net spend last summer was just €20m. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich spent €53m on Michael Olise alone 12 months after Harry Kane was signed for €95m. The financial gulf between the Bavarians and the rest of the Bundesliga has once again become apparent in the table. Last season was the exception that proved the rule.
And yet individually Bayer Leverkusen still have a number of players operating at the peak of their powers. Only Kane has scored more Bundesliga goals this season than Patrik Schick who has made himself the first-choice centre forward at the Bay Arena, dislodging Victor Boniface who came close to leaving for Saudi Arabia in January.
Nobody has registered more Bundesliga assists than Florian Wirtz who has made another step up since last season. Along with Jamal Musiala, the 21-year-old is seen as the future face of German football and is the player around whom Alonso has moulded his Leverkusen team. Everything is geared towards Wirtz.
Others, however, have struggled to keep up their performance levels. Last season, Álex Grimaldo created 18 Big Chances in the Bundesliga, ranking him second in the league in this metric. This season, the left wing back is ranked 15th having generated nine Big Chances. Bayern have three players ranked ahead of him.
Xhaka hasn’t been the same dominating presence in the centre of the pitch. The Swiss international was the best midfielder in the Bundesliga last season. This season, Leverkusen have been worse off for Xhaka suffering a dip in his statistics in and out of possession. He hasn’t been the same driving force.
Defensively, Alonso has scrambled for solidity. He has chopped and changed from game to game with Mario Hermoso signed on loan from Roma in January to provide another option. Leverkusen kept a clean sheet in the 1-0 win over Heidenheim last weekend, but that was the first shut-out recorded by Alonso’s team in five matches.
Leverkusen’s frustration which surfaced after the DFK Pokal defeat to Arminia Bielefeld surely has its root in the fact they have run into a stronger Bayern Munich this team. Not just content with bettering their rivals in the Bundesliga, the Bavarians also eliminated Alonso’s side from the Champions League in the round of 16.
Ultimately, this season could prove to be Alonso’s last at the Bay Arena. Recent reports claim Real Madrid have held talks with the former midfielder as Carlo Ancelotti’s future grows increasingly uncertain. Other names have been mentioned, but Alonso is the standout candidate. Having achieved plenty at the Santiago Bernabéu as a player, the former midfielder could soon return as a manager.
Of course, many believed Alonso was destined to leave Leverkusen last summer when Bayern Munich and Liverpool were both searching for a new manager. Instead, the Spaniard stayed, enthused by the opportunity to make an impact in the Champions League. Alonso also talked about turning one Bundesliga title into two.
Neither of those things happened, but Bayer Leverkusen have remained historically strong. Alonso has remoulded The Black and Reds in his own image. He has established a set of principles and values that should sustain Leverkusen after he leaves. This season might not bring silverware, but this has still been a golden period.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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