Could Xabi Alonso's tiki-taka revolution at Leverkusen spell the end for gegenpressing in the Bundesliga?
The return of domestic football this weekend will undoubtedly coincide with a continuation of utter mania that has followed Xabi Alonso and his Bayer Leverkusen side so far this season. With a tricky away tie against Wolfsburg on Saturday, European football will continue to keep one eye on the fantastic work the young Spaniard has done at the BayArena.
Jokingly referred to as “Jesus Alonso” at the club in reference to the hysteria that has followed their head coach, Leverkusen are well aware of the near constant media attention the 41-year old has brought across the Hohenzollern Bridge to the typical sleepy city of Leverkusen.
However, while transfer rumours often trade on buzz and name recognition, there are genuine reasons why Alonso has already found himself heavily linked with the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid and perhaps even Bayern Munich. Not only has the young coach turned Leverkusen’s fortunes around in the Bundesliga, but he’s also instilled a style of football and notable tactics that may end up upsetting the status quo in German football long after he inevitably departs the country.
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