Bayer Leverkusen secured their first ever league title on Sunday after an incredible and still undefeated season. But just exactly how did Xabi Alonso lead this team to greatness?
Ayo is joined by Seb Stafford Bloor and Raph Honigstein to digest the Spaniards positive impact on the Bundesliga.
With a potential treble still on the cards, are things just getting started for Alonso at Leverkusen?
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:06 Leverkusen’s first League title
00:05:58 How did Alonso bring the team together?
00:08:58 What did the board see in Alonso?
00:14:56 Leverkusen’s new fighting spirit
00:17:51 The importance of beating Bayern Munich
00:23:00 Raph and Seb’s Article (link below)
00:25:05 Leverkusen still unbeaten
00:29:03 Squad architecture
00:32:30 Alonso & Leverkusen’s future
00:41:05 Final comments
How Bayer Leverkusen won the Bundesliga – Raph Honigstein and Seb Stafford-Bloor: https://theathletic.com/5411110/2024/04/14/bayer-leverkusen-xabi-alonso-bundesliga/
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#xabialonso #leverkusen #bundesliga
28 Comments
They always have beautiful kits too
Kudos to Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes, the transfer committee, the sporting structure, the players, the coaching staff and Alonso. It shows the importance of making early, good, shrewd signings in the market.
On a lighter note, I guess you ought to have a Liverpudlian connection to topple Bayern in the race for the meisterschale😅.
Quality questions. Respect.
Like a wise South African bishop said "Inni the Beninging"
Great questions.
The Leverkusen story is remarkable. If they do achieve the invincible treble, it has to be the greatest achievement in footballing history.
Xhaka is also U17 World Cup winner and 2 times FA Cup winner. Not like he never won something big before.
On the subject of leverkusen selling players. Surely alonso stayed for next season because he was promised/told that wouldn't happen
You can say its just the beginning all you want, players will leave and reversion to the mean will lead to Bayern continuing their dominance.
Leverkusen's unfinished story is incredible already
As long as they keep key Players and add necessary one's they'll be fine.
I'm sure Dortmund fans said the same a decade ago (at the risk of being negative).
Well done, guys! 🙏
When you compare the new football genius Alonso against a old school negative dinosaur manager like David Moyes you can see how easy it was for him to have pulled Moyes trousers down twice this season whilst he will then make it a hat rick on Thursday night
I'm not a Leverkusen supporter, but I'm so happy Alsonso is staying. It's refreshing to see a big name not jump ship at the first opportunity. He's manager of the best team in Germany, why would he want to leave to go to the second best?!
I like the way, Rafa reigned Ayo there; almost attributing everything to a former Arsenal man.
Rapha suggesting Alonso was concerned that the fans on the pitch will spoil the turf for the west ham game "on Thursday"… I think they'll be ok Rapha, the game on Thursday is in London.
Great work from Chairman Ayo, and the boys 👍
Don't forget Son Heung Min. Spurs bought him from Bayer.
Ayo is a brilliant podcast leader – fantastic at facilitating conversation
Nice to see Seb again ❤
Lads, for someone who doesn't follow the league this is 🤌🏿 thank you
Awaiting relegation in a few seasons.
Great to see more of Seb again! Have missed him with the shuffle up of the Tifo podcast cast
How are the Gates, Seb Stafford Bloor? Gates good? 😉
Not even one mention of Flo Wirtz? For me he is the player who makes the difference so consistently
I'm indeed impressed by the as Seb says squad architecture. Which is sth that is part of former and more recent decisions. And as such a team achievement in all senses. Not a Leverkusen supporter but hard not to love them and their game. With Alonso giving the architecture an incredible static. Kudos to them whatever comes or does not come next. Fingers crossed though.And Florian Wirtz really deserves at least a mention in how he plays don t you think?
Man, the tifo football podcast is great!