Bayer Leverkusen’s Strategic Triumph: Bayern Left Reeling After Masterclass Performance
Bayer Leverkusen produced a defensive masterpiece in their critical top-of-the-table win against Bayern Munich, limiting Der Rekordmeister’s offensive threat while preserving their own threat in the final third. The show served as yet another illustration of Xabi Alonso’s Werkself movement.
Prior to the game, Alonso surprised fans and commentators by starting Patrik Schick, Jonas Hofmann, and regular starter Jeremie Frimpong on the substitutes bench. As a more conservative strategy, the head coach substituted Schick up front with the quick Amine Adli and positioned Josip Stanišić at right-back with Nathan Tella in front of him. Midfielder Robert Andrich gave an explanation for the sudden substitutions, saying, “We looked to confuse Bayern even before the match.”
“You have to be strong defensively against Bayern,” Alonso remarked following the match. We performed admirably; we were orderly and efficient. Nothing was given to them by us. That analysis is unquestionable; Leverkusen’s neutralisation of the record champs was nearly unheard of. “Even though we wanted to dominate, on occasion we needed to wait and defend compactly,” Alonso continued, outlining his team’s strategy.
Bayern’s offensive is neutralised by Leverkusen throughout the match.
No other team has kept Bayern’s expected goals (xG) total so low since data collection started. The previous record was established by Mainz on Matchday 32 of the 2021/22 season, when they faced merely 0.5 xG. But in the 90 minutes against Leverkusen on Saturday, the visitors managed just 0.27 xG and only used one of their eight attempts on Lukáš Hrádecký. Jonathan Tah, the defensive leader, put on a terrific performance. “When we didn’t have the ball, we were energetic and always closed down quickly – we were never passive,” Tah stated.
To emphasise even more Leverkusen’s dominant display in the rear, Harry Kane only had eight ball possessions prior to halftime. The all-around striker was only allowed to participate in 12 more phases of possession by Leverkusen, despite Bayern’s best efforts to include him in their build-up at the beginning of the second half. This was the fewest phases of possession the Englishman has ever accrued since leaving Tottenham Hotspur in the summer.
Meanwhile, Andrich and Granit Xhaka, in their double-pivot role, controlled the midfield. “Granit exhibited his leadership qualities and a strong will to win,” Alonso praised his on-field general in the aftermath of the match. The Spanish strategist went on, “He is always there in the important moments.”
Werkself in a defensive formation, yet with all that strength up top.
Bayern attempted to overwhelm the centre, but Alonso’s smart defence paid dividends. A centre defender, generally Edmond Tapsoba on the right or Piero Hincapié on the left, would always come out of the back line to support the double six without giving up too many defensive openings thanks to the five-man line against the ball.
“We worked in front of our own goal better than we have all season,” Hrádecký exclaimed. “We didn’t have the ball that much today, but we were also dominant against the ball,” Alonso stated.
However, Alonso’s strategy went beyond a well-thought-out defence. When they had the ball, the Werkself also played in a different way than they usually do. Leverkusen functioned in possession in a clear four-man line: Stanišić stayed on the right while Grimaldo advanced into midfield on the left. This was in contrast to pressing both full-backs up and simply putting left-back Alejandro Grimaldo into a line of four depending on the situation. Bayern was taken aback by this choice.
Prior to the game, Thomas Tuchel made another change, sending his team onto the field with an unconventional three-man backline, ostensibly to mimic Leverkusen’s offensive setup. However, because of Bayer’s modified structure, this creation proved to be mainly ineffectual. Stanišić and Hincapié, the full-backs, were able to create space by dribbling far infield on several occasions.
“A different game than normal,” says Alonso.
Leverkusen had the second-highest ball possession percentage in the Bundesliga this season, averaging 57.8% per game. However, Saturday’s hosts controlled the game in their effort against the ball against Bayern (in first position with 60%), maintaining their own offensive danger. Once they entered the opponent’s penalty area, Leverkusen once again displayed their excellent technical level, which they have displayed so frequently this season.
“Today’s game was a little different than usual,” Alonso clarified. However, Werkself’s coach and his players demonstrated that they are a superb team in terms of both play style and overall football performance.
B04 now have a healthy cushion at the top of the rankings, leading by five points and with a higher goal differential than second-place Bayern. Even so, Alonso is steadfast but cautious: “It’s still only February,” the coach said. Ensuring that the players are able to sustain this level is my responsibility. We must continue as is!”
Prior to the game, Thomas Tuchel made another change, sending his team onto the field with an unconventional three-man backline, ostensibly to mimic Leverkusen’s offensive setup. However, because of Bayer’s modified structure, this creation proved to be mainly ineffectual. Stanišić and Hincapié, the full-backs, were able to create space by dribbling far infield on several occasions.
