Europa League Run
Leverkusen were initially in the UEFA Champions League this campaign. But their poor start to the European competition before Alonso was appointed cost them greatly. They finished third in their group which earned them a place in the UEFA Europa League play-off round. Since then, they have knocked out many top European outfits to reach the final four of the competition, and in Europa League odds, Leverkusen are offered at 11/4 to go on to win the competition. European success in his first season would already make Alonso a legend at the club. However, Juventus are the outright favourites in football betting odds, they are offered at 15/8 to lift the trophy in Budapest.
Leverkusen have had an impressive run to the semi-final stage. They narrowly defeated AS Monaco on penalties in the play-off round which allowed them to continue on their road to a potential European final. Hungarian champions Ferencvaros were dispatched with ease in the round of 16. Alonso’s side recorded a 4-0 aggregate victory. An emphatic victory away in Belgium allowed Leverkusen to ease past Union Saint-Gilloise to reach the semi-final stage. AS Roma now stand between Leverkusen and their first European final in 21 years.
Xabi Alonso vs. Jose Mourinho.
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Roma
This semifinal is going to be epic 🍿 pic.twitter.com/sCzqByKwBC
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 21, 2023
Bundesliga Form
The upturn in Leverkusen’s league form under Alonso has not captured the headlines quite as much. But it has still been hugely impressive. Alonso arrived with the team languishing in the bottom half of the Bundesliga table. They now have an outside chance of achieving a top-four finish, but they should secure Europa League qualification at a minimum. The Spanish coach picked up 42 points in his first 21 league games in charge, and the BayArena has played a huge part in Leverkusen’s resurgence. Die Werkself have lost just one home league game since Alonso was appointed – helping Leverkusen to become one of the Bundesliga’s most in-form teams. Perhaps the Spaniard could be the man to end Bayern Munich’s dominance over the course of a full season.
◉ Currently on a 12-game unbeaten run across all competitions
◉ Helped Leverkusen reach their first European semi-final in 21 years
Xabi Alonso everyone. 👏 pic.twitter.com/SNkFp1Adtx
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 20, 2023
Alonso’s Leverkusen Play High-Intensity Football
One of the main changes Alonso has made at Leverkusen is in relation to the intensity they play with on the pitch. Under Seoane, Leverkusen set up much more defensively and rarely pressed the opposition high up the pitch. Alonso has completely transformed the team’s mentality on the pitch – they relentlessly press the opposition in all areas of the pitch. The team no longer allow other teams to maintain possession of the ball in their own half. Alonso’s team constantly demands possession of the ball. The Spaniard has achieved the change in intensity by allowing his players more freedom. Leverkusen’s shape is flexible and even the more defensive players are able to join the attack at times.
Ultimately, Alonso has brought modern football to the BayArena, which is a style that the team has needed for several years. Leverkusen have been an average Bundesliga team for many years, but now they are starting to truly compete. Alonso has a strong chance of winning a European trophy and establishing Leverkusen as one of the Bundesliga’s leading teams in the near future. Alonso’s transformation of the club in less than a season has been absolutely remarkable.