Lately, the leading clubs of the German Bundesliga have been going through challenging times. Giants like Bayern and Borussia Dortmund find themselves in a crisis, while newcomers like Freiburg and Union Berlin have stormed into the elite. However, the real sensation is the performance of Bayer Leverkusen. A team that, at the start of the season, few considered a contender for the championship title now leads the tournament race with a comfortable 10-point lead over its closest pursuers.
It’s not surprising that bookmakers consider the team led by Habi Alonso as the main favorite for the championship this season. Bettors engaged in sport tikish could have significantly enriched themselves by placing bets on Bayer’s championship at the beginning of the season. Let’s explore the reasons behind the phenomenon of the Leverkusen club.
Young Talents and Experienced Warriors
The secret to the success of the “pharmacists” lies in the unique combination of young talents and seasoned fighters. The undeniable leader of the team is 20-year-old prodigy Florian Wirtz. His phenomenal progress after an injury can be considered one of the main catalysts for Bayer’s success. Thanks to his cool-headed execution and excellent field vision, Wirtz consistently dismantles opponents’ defense with elegant passes or spectacular shots.
Equally impressive is 23-year-old Nigerian forward Victor Boniface. Despite a prolonged absence due to injury, he scored 10 goals, earning praise from experts. His powerful physical play in the penalty area, coupled with good technique, makes Boniface a versatile threat. However, Bayer’s attacking potential is not limited to Boniface alone – full-backs Alejandro Grimaldo and Jeremy Frimpong regularly join the attacks, creating additional goal-scoring opportunities.
Without experienced players like Granit Xhaka, the success of the “pharmacists” would have been impossible. The Swiss, who is already over 30, has become a true leader in the midfield, helping young teammates with advice and example. His ability to intelligently distribute the game space and dictate the tempo allows Bayer to control the course of the match.
Coaching Genius Habi Alonso
A key role in transforming Bayer into a formidable force was played by the young coach Habi Alonso. The former player of the Spanish national team and Liverpool has done a colossal job, building a cohesive team from disparate players. Thanks to his coaching talent, the “pharmacists” play an attacking, combinational football that combines pressure and discipline. Alonso managed to extract the maximum from the available squad, finding the perfect balance between the creativity of the youth and the experience of the veterans.
Destructive Force of Defenders
At the same time, the main strength of Bayer lies in the defensive line. Giant defenders like Edmond Tapsoba and Jonathan Tah intimidate with their dimensions but demonstrate the highest mastery of positional play and dueling. Their power and strength are complemented by the aggressiveness of full-backs Grimaldo and Frimpong. When it comes to ball retrieval, opponents face a truly impregnable defense of the “pharmacists,” capable of withstanding any pressure.
Great Ambitions
Habi Alonso understands perfectly that his team has not yet reached the peak of its capabilities. Therefore, rumors of a possible move to top clubs like Bayern and Liverpool do not distract him. The Spanish coach is focused on the current season with the sole goal of leading Bayer to a championship title for the first time in history. And then Alonso plans to solidify success by strengthening the squad with a couple of top performers from the pool of promising talents. Moreover, the Leverkusen club continues to compete in the Europa League, where it meets the modest “Karabakh” in the Round of 16. The Europa League is another tournament that opens up significant opportunities for Bayer’s successful season. However, undoubtedly, the priority for the team is victory in the Bundesliga.
The question remains open: will the triumph of the “pharmacists” become a long-term trend or just a short-lived flash? Will young stars be able to establish themselves at the top, or will they turn out to be one-season wonders? Only time will tell whether the current sensation will turn into a historical failure in the next season after the departure of the leaders. However, in any case, Bayer has already left its mark on the history of the Bundesliga, becoming a true revelation and breathing new life into German football.
