Bayer Leverkusen with “pure euphoria”: on the way to the title thanks to Xabi Alonso

Meticulous worker and gambler

When he climbed from the fence after his performance as lead singer, Lukas Hradecky (34) wanted to quickly jump into the next fray. “I don’t need an excuse to have a drink,” said the Bayer Leverkusen captain when asked whether he was still going to the Rhenish carnival. “I’ll definitely go to the old town today,” Hradecky added. “Make the interview short so that I can enjoy it soon.” After the 3-0 win in the top Bundesliga game against FC Bayern, there was “pure euphoria” at Bayer.

Coach Xabi Alonso didn’t stop the celebrating Finn. “Today we can celebrate. Maybe tomorrow too,” said the Spaniard. “But preparation for the new game begins on Monday. That’s football.” Alonso, whom his club nicknamed “El Profesor” on social media after the next tactical masterpiece on Saturday evening, can give his players a long leash. Because he knows they won’t go overboard.

On the one hand, out of respect for the coach, who is both fatherly and strict. But also because of the great chance of winning the first championship title. Given the lead that has grown to five points and the demonstration of strength in the direct duel against Bayern, this is now actually within reach.

Bayer Leverkusen wants to remain humble: “Still 13 steps to go”

Hardly anyone in Leverkusen still uses the words “championship” or “title”. The exception was the once again extremely strong Alejandro Grimaldo (28), about whom Bayern honorary president Uli Hoeneß said during the week that “nobody” knew him until the Bayer transfer. Asked about the “Vicecuse” myth, Grimaldo said: “I’ve heard about that. But maybe we can actually win the championship this year.”

His colleagues formulated this at least in a cryptic way. “There are still a few points to be gained,” said defense chief Jonathan Tah: “But everyone knows what happens if we collect a lot of points.” And Hradecky explained: “That was a great step in our season marathon. There are still 13 steps to go. We know that we are competing against Bayern. We must remain humble. But we know what we can do.”

Alonso as the father of Bayer Leverkusen’s success: Surprising measures are taking effect

Alonso doesn’t stop such statements either. For him personally they would go too far. “We are of course satisfied. But it’s only February,” said the coach, who won a total of 18 titles in his professional career. Nothing more could be elicited from him. But Alonso is also aware of the opportunity to create something historic with Leverkusen. And the former Bayern star is the father of this success story.

The 42-year-old is a meticulous worker who leaves nothing to chance. But the “Profesor” is also a gambler who tries things out when his gut feeling tells him to do so, regardless of his own risk in the event of failure. Alonso has surprised everyone in almost every game recently with sometimes daring formations. Against Bochum (4-0) he left all five Africans on the bench to simulate an emergency situation for the Africa Cup. In Augsburg (1-0) he rested Tah so that he couldn’t get a yellow card suspension before the game in Leipzig. Against Gladbach (0-0) he suddenly ordered Hradecky to the bench so that Matej Kovar (23) could gain match practice before his cup appearance.

And now against Bayern he surprised everyone by rotating Jeremie Frimpong (23), Patrik Schick (28) and Jonas Hofmann (31) from the team. How well this worked was shown not only by the fact that Frimpong representative Josip Stanisic (23) made it 1-0 and Frimpong made it 3-0 after being substituted on.

Alonso conveys belief in himself, his ideas and all his players. And that’s what matters. Bayern icon Thomas Müller (34) sounded almost envious when he said that at Leverkusen they “most of all have the feeling that they have a lot of fun together.” And so they currently have reason to celebrate. Which, according to Hradecky, should become a permanent situation. “At the end of the day, it’s only three points,” he said about the triumph in the top game. “But you want to experience this feeling in the future. Hopefully we keep winning.”

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