How will Bayer Leverkusen perform this term?

Bayer Leverkusen etched their name into football folklore when they completed the first double-winning season in the German Bundesliga.

The BaArena side won the German Bundesliga for the first time in their history, and the DFB Pokal won without losing a single game the entire season in the 2023/2024 Bundesliga season. 

Under the tutelage of Xabi Alonso, the German side turned into a ruthless winning machine, decimating opponents on the way. Not even perennial winners Bayern Munich, which had won an unprecedented eleventh Bundesliga title on the bounce in the 2022/23 season, could stop them. 

Bayer 'Neverkusen' as they were fondly called by fans around the world, a moniker arising from their relentlessness and ability to win games at the death to take maximum points or push for a draw, as was evident in their last gasp equaliser at home against AS Roma in the semi-final of the 2023/24 Europa League edition. 

The win set them up against Atalanta in the final, with the Italian side remaining the only side to get the better of Alonso's side the entire season.

But all that is now in the past and buyers of Bayer Leverkusen tickets this season are already looking forward to another exciting campaign. 

The new Bundesliga season kicked off last weekend with Borussia Monchengladbach welcoming the champions to Borussia Park. Xabi Alonso's men started off right where they dropped off last season, with a well-taken strike in the 12th minute from midfield general Granit Xhaka putting the champions in the driving seat of the game. 

German sensation Florian Wirtz continued his rich vein of form by doubling his team's lead in the 38th minute. 

However, a resurgent Monchengladbach pushed back almost immediately after the break, with Swiss defender Nico Esvedi pulling one back for his team. 

Alonso's men eventually needed a late winner from Wirtz to save their blushes after Tim Kleindeinst had pulled the home side level with the defending champions.

Having picked up a dramatic victory over Borussia Monchengladbach in their opening match, Xabi Alonso will return to the drawing board to address some of his team's mistakes in the game against Gerardo Seoane's side as the bid to show that their run last season was no fluke. 

Here are key reasons why Bayer Leverkusen looks set to retain its dominance in the Bundesliga. 

The Xabi Alonso factor 

Xabi Alonso's remarkable success at Leverkusen had positioned him as one of the most sought-after managers in Europe, with Liverpool and Bayern Munich leading the chase for his signature. 

Despite the interest, the 42-year-old Spaniard had affirmed his commitment to remain at the helm of the Bundesliga outfit for the foreseeable future. His commitment to the Bayer project is arguably Leverkusen's most significant coup this summer and one of the primary reasons they will dominate again this season. 

Alonso's importance to this Leverkusen side is reminiscent of Pep Guardiola's role in Barcelona when the football club put their faith in the then-unproven youth team manager. With the Spanish manager still at the helm of affairs in the dugout, Bayer Leverkusen have retained the brain and vision needed to maintain their Bundesliga crown. 

The Spanish coach showed his tactical savviness and wisdom in how he managed his team throughout their title-winning campaign. His first obstacle last season was navigating the injury to first-choice striker Victor Boniface, who had scored ten goals and assisted seven more in the Bundesliga before his injury in January. The injury seemed to be a big blow to the German side. 

But thanks to Alonso's brilliance, Leverkusen continued their historic run to the finish line while scoring goals at will even without the Nigerian hitman, as three different players ended the season with double figures for goals for the German side. 

Injuries to key players at intervals in the season also were not enough to derail Xabi Alonso and his boys, as he seemed to have an already made answer to any injury concerns the club had in their title-winning campaign. 

With his man management and game management shining through last season, Bayer Leverkusen will be counting on the former Spain international to guide them to a record second Bundesliga title on the bounce. 

Support of the club board

Just like Pep Guardiola in his first season at Barcelona, Xabi Alonso has received the full backing of the board, who have made great efforts in getting the profile of players needed to take the team to the next level. 

The acquisition of Granit Xhaka from Arsenal, Victor Boniface from Union St-Gilloise and Alex Grimaldo from Benfica on a free transfer was the highlight of their business acumen last season. 

All three players played a huge role in their success last season, with Grimaldo included in the best starting XI of players across Europe's top five leagues last season.

The club’s hierarchy has shown a willingness to strengthen the team this summer, with the double deal for Martin Terrier and Jeanuel Belocian from Stade Rennais, indicating that the board means business this season. 

However, the signing of former Girona midfield stalwart Aleix Garcia, who captained the Spanish side to a club-record top-four finish last season, stands to be the highlight of their transfer dealings this season and a massive coup for Leverkusen. The Spain international brings a wealth of experience and skill to the club. 

With the transfer window still open, we may see more players arrive to add to an already talented squad for Xabi Alonso to choose from and increase competitiveness within the team ranks.

In addition, the board has been able to keep their players inside the club, with club starman Florian Wirtz being subject to advances from top teams around the world. With the cream of the team still intact, Xabi Alonso still has the same players who got the job done last season to count on this season.  

With such a team, Bayer Leverkusen boasts the most cohesive unit in the German top flight. With player chemistry and an acute understanding of how Xabi Alonso wants them to play, Leverkusen fans will be right to expect another roller-coaster ride this season. 

Opposition weakness and decline. 

Bayern Munich went on a title romp that spanned eleven seasons, winning back-to-back titles and not allowing any opponents a sniff of the title. 

However, the German powerhouse has seen a remarkable decline in recent years and has burned through managers in a manner indicative of a disillusioned and unstable club. 

Before finally getting their new manager Vincent Kompany, the Bavarians were rejected by their top targets, suggesting that the German powerhouse are not as formidable as they have been in previous years. 

With Bayern Munich seemingly at rebuilding process at the moment, other teams in the German topside have not taken advantage of the moment to stake a claim to the title like Bayer Leverkusen did. 

With the likes of the traditional top-four side Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund being underwhelming last season, Bayer Leverkusen looks set to retain their crown this season. 

Even Stuttgart, who finished second behind Leverkusen, made a stuttering start to the season after losing to Freiburg in their opening game this season despite finishing second last season. So, Alonso’s men could once again be the favourite team for neutral buyers of Bundesliga tickets this season. 

Experience from last season’s European Heartbreak

Despite falling to Atalanta in the final, Bayer Leverkusen were arguably the best side in the Europa League, going all the way to the final without a single defeat last season. Their final heartbreak and experience playing in the competition will be vital as they make a return to the Champions League this season. 

Although there is a huge difference between those two competitions, football fans all over the world will be keen to see how Bayer Leverkusen will handle playing in Europe's premier competition. 

However, if their run to the Europa League final is anything to go by, the German side looks prepared and set to make a case for themselves in the competition, especially considering that a less competent Borussia Dortmund side made it to the final last season.