On par with Pep Guardiola? The new leader of the Bundesliga, scoring 51 goals in 14 games, beat Bayern
So far in the new season, 13 wins and 1 draw in 14 games, the only game that failed to get all three points was a 2-2 draw away from Bayern. Alonso and his Bayer Leverkusen are not only the current leaders of the Bundesliga, but also the most prominent teams in the top five leagues.
With 51 goals in 14 games, the momentum continues, and the number of goals scored this season is just around the corner. As a former Mourinho lover, Alonso seems to want to play Guardiola-style football.
01. Alonso's double midfield push: Xhaka plays a big role
a. Double back push: The overall movement is more like the Gua Shuai system
Alonso was Jose Mourinho's protégé when he was at Real Madrid, but after moving to Bayern Munich, he also studied with Pep Guardiola. Judging from the current tactical system, although the main play is a double midfielder, Alonso is not for defense, but for a more fluid advance.
In 14 games in the Bundesliga, German Cup and Europa League this season, Bayer Leverkusen has scored 51 goals and shown a very high attacking standard.
From this attack, it can be seen that Alonso's pair of double midfielders has played a crucial role. Xhaka was the playmaker of the passes, while Palacios provided plenty of off-ball pick-ups and transition tandems.
Hofmann can play as a wide midfielder or as a second striker, while Wirtz can drop back in the middle to serve as a bridge between midfielders and central striker Boniface.
The starting point of this wave of attacks, the tandem and reception from Palacios, allowed Xhaka to handle the ball calmly. Wirtz stepped forward after Bonifas, who excelled in his individual ability to carry the first defender and distribute the ball to the wing.
Wirtz, who cut forward into the box, received a cross from the flank, cleverly recurred the ball, and allowed the follow-up Hofmann to score a classic team goal.
Looking at this attack again, Xhaka's continuous passing became the key to the attack.
Hoffman is positioned to take in and play the ball, as well as to cut forward, and Palacios remains a key off-ball running point.
After Xhaka started the attack, Hoffman played the ball Palacios, and Wirtz started to cut forward without the ball to speed up a key part of the attack.
It's a pity that Boniface, who was outflanked in the middle, failed to play well and missed the replication of another classic team cooperation score.
b. Attacking central axis: Xhaka - Wirtz - Boniface
Xhaka has played at a decent level in the Bundesliga since leaving Arsenal. He averaged 96.8 passes per game in the Bundesliga, with a 92.1 per cent success rate, while also making 1.1 key passes.
Especially with the connection points of Hoffman and Palacios, Xhaka can be said to be like a fish in water, fully unleashing his characteristics.
Xhaka's passing, in turn, made Wirtz very comfortable, and frequently found open positions to receive and launch attacks.
This time, it was the connection between the pharmaceutical company's three-centre-back system and the midfielder Xhaka to break the opposition's interference in the high post. Xhaka then passed the centre circle and distributed the ball to Hofman on the flank, followed up with a second win and a second break.
Wirtz's through ball found Bonifas, who slotted into the box and scored a beautiful shot to break the defence.
02. Best Signing in the Summer Window: Boniface who loves to shoot
a. 1.93m center: Good technique at the feet, can be a bridgehead
Alonso's 3241 formation has a bit of similarity with Guardiola in terms of personnel. Much of this season's success is due to the purchase of Boniface in the center forward position, which is similar to the arrival of Haaland.
Because Boniface is not only 1.93 meters tall, he has a strong physique, but also has good skills on his feet. His presence also allowed Hoffmann and Wirtz behind him to gain more space.
Boniface has a wide range of movement, and he can drop back into the centre circle to pick up a high ball or receive a through ball from a three-man defender and midfielder, or he can pull it wide at any time.
This time, after holding the ball, the ball was distributed to the wing, which is a good bridgehead case.
Boniface is a player with good fighting strength, physical flexibility and frequency of movements, and at the same time, it is a bit incredible to have a height of 1.93m.
This time, the first stop was not good, and then he was very flexible after pushing away the opponent and turning. The 22-year-old has suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury twice and has been injured for two years, but he can still recover such a good athletic ability, which is a little amazing.
b. A big center who can hit the wall and cooperate: Gua Shuai will be excited when he sees it
The 1.93-meter center forward contributed 9 goals and 4 assists in 12 games in the new season, averaging more than 1 goal per game.
Another characteristic of Boniface is that he loves to shoot very much. In the Bundesliga, he averaged nearly 6 shots per game, which is the first of the five major leagues.
As you can see from the picture below, this time Boniface returned to a deep position to receive the ball, his small ball skills are good, and he can play continuous wall collision with his teammates.
Xhaka didn't do well to stop the ball and Boniface took possession of the ball and he sent a good through ball to Wirtz in front of him, who opened the scoring for the latter.
Looking at this attack again, Boniface went to the wing position to ask for the ball, which is also one of his characteristics. He has good technique at his feet and dribbling is his strength (averaging 3.4 dribbles per game in the Bundesliga).
In the process of Bonifas cutting inside, he and Wirtz also had a wall collision, and at the same time made a blank cover at the critical moment, allowing Wirtz to face the Bayern goalkeeper, but unfortunately he couldn't grasp it alone.
03. No. 2 in the top five leagues in goal conversion rate! Set-piece defence needs to be improved
a. Shot conversion rate 2nd in the top 5 leagues
As can be seen from the statistics, Bayer Leverkusen is second only to RB Leipzig in the list of goal conversion goals in the top five leagues this season.
Although Boniface is not known for his shooting skills (he has missed a lot of scoring opportunities by shooting more goals), he still has the likes of Wirtz and Hoffmann behind him.
In fact, judging by Boniface's ability to crush Upamecano physically and play Kim Min-jae with his feet, it would have been even more terrifying if he had shot a little better.
However, Boniface is still too accustomed to exerting force when shooting, does not change much, and does not know how to observe the goalkeeper's position, so the efficiency of the single ball is actually low.
This time, the 1-over-2 foot manipulation in the penalty area even gives people the illusion of being like Messi, and it is hard to imagine that this is a big man of 1.93 meters.
The last shot on goal has a Husky feeling, and if Boniface's follow-up shots continue to be erratic, the pharmaceutical company's record may also be fluctuating.
Fortunately, Wirtz is in good form, contributing five goals and nine assists in 14 appearances, and in the last Bundesliga game against Freiburg, he completed a beautiful goal after 14 consecutive touches of the ball.
b. Defective set-piece defence
Compared to the attack, Alonso's side couldn't say too well in defence. Especially when defending from set-pieces, we conceded quite a few goals.
In the past 2 games, the opponent has been broken through set-pieces in a row.
The first goal conceded in the game against Bayern was Kane's unmarked header at the back post when he attacked from a corner.
In the match with Freiburg, it was also a leak from the outside, and Boulder scored with a header unmarked.
If in the next game, Boniface, who loves to shoot, has a worse sense of foot, this small flaw in the defensive end may also cause some trouble for the pharmaceutical company.
Conclusion:
The season is long, and although they are the leaders of the Bundesliga, they are only two points ahead of Bayern. Also distracted by the Europa League, it will not be easy for Alonso's side to win the Bundesliga.
Eliminated by Jose Mourinho in the semi-finals of the Europa League last season, it is unknown what kind of answer Alonso, who is more mature this season, will finally hand over in the form of a three-line situation.