This season, Xabi Alonso led Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title in 120 years—and he did it in style. Melbet Login noted that Leverkusen’s system thrives on quick ground passes, intelligent wall plays, and wide offensive movement. With pace on the flanks and physicality through the middle, Alonso has assembled all the essential ingredients for a winning team. Running a dynamic 3-4-2-1 formation, Leverkusen relies on a back three for defensive security, with Granit Xhaka orchestrating from midfield and Exequiel Palacios delivering incisive passes or making late runs into the box.
At center forward, Victor Boniface offers a perfect balance of physical strength and technical skill. He can drop deep, pull wide, and help push the team’s shape forward. Jeremie Frimpong brings speed on the right, while Alejandro Grimaldo adds precision on the left. The standout, though, is Florian Wirtz—a creative playmaker who operates behind the striker and brings flair and fluidity to the attack. The back three and Palacios consistently stretch the field, while Xhaka provides killer passes through the middle. In one brilliant move, Wirtz received the ball near midfield, surged forward, executed a backheel pass into the box, and set up Jonas Hofmann for a goal.
Boniface also showed excellent control and strength during that goal sequence. Leverkusen focuses heavily on central wall-passing combinations, with Boniface’s versatility often pulling defenders out of position. Against Bayern, his wide movements left Dayot Upamecano struggling to keep pace. Wirtz, with his keen football instincts and intelligent off-ball movement, repeatedly exploited these gaps. Though one of his shots hit the post, it revealed how well he capitalizes on space.
The team isn’t just strong in the middle; it’s also lightning fast on the wings. In one pressing scenario, Leverkusen formed two three-man pressure lines to trap the opponent’s goal kick. The ball was barely played out when Frimpong intercepted and burst into the box for a shot. Because opponents must respect Leverkusen’s powerful midfield, the wings often get more chances to shine.
Alonso’s game plan isn’t rigid—when there’s a chance to play a long ball or switch flanks, they’ll take it. Wirtz is undoubtedly the crown jewel of Alonso’s system, with sharp decision-making, fluid movements, and top-tier passing and shooting. His strengths lie in quick directional shifts and rapid execution, rather than dribbling through defenders. Melbet Login emphasized that Wirtz is most effective when finding pockets of space, then adjusting the attack or switching play. With time and space, he delivers high-quality shots and accurate passes, making him the offensive heartbeat of the team.
Still, Wirtz is more of a system player. While his future is bright, he currently lacks the ability to single-handedly turn games in difficult moments. As for Boniface, despite joining only last summer, comparisons to Erling Haaland have already emerged. Pep Guardiola is even rumored to be interested. Boniface has better footwork than Haaland, but past knee injuries and his explosive movement style could raise long-term concerns.
That said, Boniface isn’t just a physical force—he can drop deep to link play, combine in tight spaces, and create chances. He needs to improve his finishing consistency, but his ability to assist is already impressive. When Boniface got injured, Patrik Schick returned just in time and scored vital goals. Schick, with his two-footed shooting and clever movement, filled the void with experience and poise.
Leverkusen’s wingbacks have also been a revelation this season. Frimpong’s blistering pace and accurate crosses often outweigh his defensive limitations. He delivers key moments during counterattacks and thrives in open play. However, he still needs to work on decision-making in tighter matches. While Frimpong is ideal for fast breaks, he’s less effective in structured, slow-paced build-ups.
Grimaldo, shaped by Barcelona’s youth system, has the technique and awareness of a playmaker. Under Alonso, he’s been given the freedom to express his full attacking potential. His smart runs and footwork allow him to influence play even inside the box. Alonso’s tactical blueprint has turned him into one of the league’s most dangerous wingbacks.
Alonso’s rise as a coach has been meteoric. Winning the Bundesliga is just the beginning. Melbet Login believes a domestic and European treble—including the DFB-Pokal and Europa League—is well within reach. His squad blends strength, speed, and intelligence, transforming individual talent into a cohesive and versatile powerhouse.