By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Leverkusen's head coach Xabi Alonso has perfectly lived up to his reputation as a tactical genius in his five encounters with Bayern Munich.
Ahead of this Saturday's national league clash - where the reigning German champion will face table leader Bayern - the Spaniard's sometimes surprising tactical variability is the talk of the town.
Although this week's match presents challenges - with the 2024 double-winner trailing by eight points and seemingly in a chasing position - Alonso remains undefeated in his five meetings against the Bavarians while at the Leverkusen helm.
Since taking charge in October 2022, the two-time UEFA Champions League winner (2005 with LFC/2024 with Real) has upended the status quo for a club long burdened with a reputation for always finishing second. After winning the 2024 league title and the National Cup, the club's notorious label of "Vize-kusen" vanished - especially since "Vize" in sports denotes finishing behind the winner.
In 2000, Bayer gambled away the national title in their final league game, while the 2002 Champions League final favored Real's favorites. However, things have fundamentally changed over the past two decades.
The sports magazine 'Kicker' dubbed Bayern a "fortune bag," referring to Alonso's record of three victories - and two draws - achieved with five different, mostly surprising tactical setups.
Although Alonso began his coaching career as a rookie in the autumn of 2022, his tactical acumen was hardly a surprise. Having played nearly 500 games in Spain, England, and Germany, the former midfielder quickly assumed the role of chief strategist.
During his final year in Bayern's jersey in 2017, he spent hours discussing tactics in interviews, attracting international media who traveled to Munich solely to hear from this tactical enthusiast.
While his future at Leverkusen remains uncertain - with Bayern and Real reportedly expressing interest despite the presence of striker genius Florian Wirtz and other key players - the squad has managed to resist external distractions.
Nevertheless, Saturday's match appears to be Leverkusen's last chance this season to re-enter the title race. Bayern board member Uli Hoeness expressed his surprise at Leverkusen's resilience as the recent season's success reshaped the club's dynamics. The 73-year-old called the newly emerged rival "the only team that can challenge us when it comes to this season's title."
Confidence is high around Leverkusen, and Alonso and his team seem poised to keep the pressure on the Bavarians. While Bayern might be content with a draw, this time it appears that another tactical surprise from Alonso is needed to tip the scales.
For some reason, the Leverkusen coach might be satisfied with finishing second after last season's league title, given his side's realistic chance in the 2025 German Cup. But before waving the white flag, it seems inherent in Alonso's DNA to aim for another trophy. ■
