Bayer Leverkusen’s Impressive Start Under Xabi Alonso: Tactical Analysis for 2023-24
Bayer Leverkusen have burst out of the blocks in the 2023-24 Bundesliga season, sitting at the league summit after an electrifying run of three consecutive wins, in which they averaged 3.7 goals per match. Managed by Xabi Alonso, the team has quickly caught the eye with its blend of dynamic pressing, creative possession play, and a cohesive team structure. This tactical breakdown explores how Leverkusen’s approach, squad evolution, and on-field strategies are fueling their early success and why they are tipped for a standout campaign.
Strategic Evolution: Transitioning to a Possession-Based 3-4-2-1
Leverkusen continue to deploy the 3-4-2-1 system that proved effective last season but with refined details that address previous weaknesses. Notably, Xabi Alonso used the summer transfer window to bring in technically gifted players capable of enhancing the team’s ball retention, replacing the directness and transitional speed previously provided by Moussa Diaby and Mitchell Bakker. Their successors—most significantly Jonas Hofmann, Granit Xhaka, and Alejandro Grimaldo—each add intricate possession skills and tactical acumen, enabling more controlled and deliberate build-up play without sacrificing the threat on the break.
Defensively, captain Lukáš Hrádecký offers reliable command between the posts, supported by a settled back three of Edmond Tapsoba, Odilon Kossounou, and vice-captain Jonathan Tah. Tapsoba, in particular, has emerged as a linchpin in the first phase of build-up. While Piero Hincapié provides further depth and tactical options, Alonso’s choice of central defenders ensures both secure protection and involvement in progressing the ball.
Wide areas are pivotal in this system. Jeremie Frimpong operates high up as a right wing-back, frequently joining the attack as a de facto winger. On the left, Grimaldo holds width and supplies Spanish-style precision in possession, aligning with Alonso’s football philosophy.
Midfield Engine and Advanced Playmakers
The double pivot features Granit Xhaka and Exequiel Palacios, providing sturdy ball-winning abilities combined with measured distribution. Xhaka, recently signed from Arsenal, dictates the pace and is often the starting point for Leverkusen’s attacking moves. Palacios brings defensive tenacity and technical assurance, making for a well-balanced midfield duo.
In advanced roles, Florian Wirtz operates as a classic number 10, orchestrating play between the lines. Victor Boniface, the versatile forward, enjoys freedom to drift out wide and exploit half-spaces, while Jonas Hofmann fills the right channel, maintaining close combinations with Frimpong. This interconnectedness enables Leverkusen to sustain fluid attacks and create overloads.
Depth is also notable—Patrik Schick, Adam Hlozek, and Nathan Tella provide scoring and creative options from the bench, enhancing squad dynamism and competitiveness.
Attacking Tactics: Compact Possession and Explosive Dynamics
Leverkusen’s attacking play is rooted in close proximity between players. By maintaining tight distances, they generate multiple passing triangles, giving the player in possession a range of immediate options and supporting rapid ball circulation. This compact structure frequently forces opposition defenses to contract centrally, often resulting in periods of intricate but patient possession. The team patiently probes, awaiting openings to break through with incisive passes.
The maintenance of width is essential to breaking defensive structures. Frimpong and Grimaldo stretch the field, while Hofmann and Wirtz tuck inside, creating space for overlapping runs or sudden switches of play. Triangulated passing combinations, quick one-twos, and timely rotations are common themes, allowing Leverkusen to either split defenses with direct balls or switch the focus of attack to unbalance their opponents.
The left side is often favored in buildup, as key passers like Xhaka and Tapsoba facilitate overloads and quick transitions on that flank. Jonas Hofmann frequently joins these overloads, supporting the progression or cutting inside to link up.
Frimpong’s acceleration and timing make him a frequent target for through balls into the right half-space, where he can deliver dangerous cut-backs to onrushing midfielders such as Wirtz or Xhaka. Boniface’s mobility ensures that central defenders are stretched, enabling direct runs into space for him or for supplementary attackers.
Building Out from the Back and Central Penetration
Progression from deep areas often revolves around the passing quality of Xhaka and Tapsoba. The team frequently cycles the ball until a gap opens for a forward pass between the lines, particularly aiming to find Wirtz in dangerous pockets. Statistically, Leverkusen lead the Bundesliga in central attacks, with 36% of their offensive moves coming through the middle—a testament to their effective central combinations.
Unique midfield rotations, such as the 3+3 diagonal alignment, further complicate defensive schemes for the opposition. Players interchange fluidly, with Wirtz either dropping in front of the defense or surging beyond, depending on Xhaka’s positioning and build-up cues.
In transition, the combination of Wirtz, Boniface, Hofmann, and Frimpong forms a fast-breaking unit that can exploit teams who lose possession in advanced areas. Each member is both a creator and a finisher, making Leverkusen an unpredictable threat on the counter.
Defensive Approach: Structure, Pressing, and Transition Resilience
Leverkusen’s defensive solidity complements their offensive fluidity. So far, they have conceded only three goals in as many matches. Their pressing shape morphs into a 5-2-3 when defending high, with the nearest midfielder and wing-back ready to engage aggressively while the far-sided players hold back for balance.
Rather than relentless pressing, Leverkusen prioritize energy conservation, only springing into an organized counter-press upon losing the ball. The proximity of players in attack means there are always multiple players positioned to swarm and recover possession, effectively suffocating opposition advances before they can develop.
Should the initial counter-press be bypassed, Leverkusen’s central defensive trio—Tah, Kossounou, and Tapsoba—with Xhaka shielding in front, makes breaking through extremely difficult. If a center-back steps out to challenge, others adjust to cover vacated spaces, ensuring resilience against most threats.
In deep defensive phases, the team drops into a compact 5-2-2-1, effectively blocking central lanes and guiding opponents into less dangerous wide areas. Their excellent blocking and interception skills allow them to neutralize attacks before they can reach the penalty area.
Xhaka’s positional intelligence is also key, as he covers full-backs when caught upfield, maintaining structural integrity. Tapsoba’s willingness to step up and intercept is another asset, enabling swift regains and counter-attacks.
The Road Ahead: Confidence and High Ambitions
Xabi Alonso has engineered one of the Bundesliga’s most organized and dynamic outfits, blending clever recruitment with clear tactical identity. The early season’s fluid attacking play, combined with disciplined defensive structure, suggests Leverkusen are well-equipped for a sustained title challenge. While their ability to match Bayern Munich over the entire campaign remains to be seen, Leverkusen’s confident start and underlying tactical foundation make them a true team to watch in the months ahead.
Their ability to balance attacking creativity and defensive solidity will be crucial as the season progresses and the fixtures intensify. If they continue on the current trajectory, Leverkusen could be poised for their most exciting season in years.
