| Tester | Team | ME | Win % | PPG | AGF | AGA | GD | PL | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| elmilanista84 |
Bayer Leverkusen
|
24.3 | 88% | 2.74 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 2.09 | 34 | 30 | 3 | 1 |
XABI ALONSO'S BAYER LEVERKUSEN IN FOOTBALL MANAGER 2024
To replicate Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen tactics in Football Manager 2024, I start with a 3-4-2-1 formation with a positive mentality. As analyzed before, in the previous season, Xabi preferred building from the back and playing centrally to give more space to the two wing-backs positioned high and wide on the flanks. In the opponent's half, Leverkusen aimed to quickly reach the crossing zone to target the central striker or midfielders making late runs into the box. During transitions, Leverkusen aggressively pressed high to regain possession as quickly as possible, a key feature of Xabi Alonso's football that remains in this season too. Upon recovering the ball, they launched rapid counterattacks. However, in the current season, Leverkusen focuses more on exploiting the flanks and uses possession-based play to enter the opponent's box. Even in transitions, once possession is regained, the team adopts a more patient approach, controlling the ball instead of launch immediate counterattacks.
2023-2024 Tactics
Mentality: Positive
In Possession:
- Attacking width: Fairly narrow
- Play into spaces
- Build out from the back
- Focus play through the middle
- Crossing: Mixed
- Hit early crosses
- Play for set pieces
- Tempo: Slightly higher
- Passing: Shorter
In Transition:
- Counter-press
- Counter
- Distribute to center-backs
- Roll it ou
Out of Possession:
- Line of engagement: High
- Defensive line: Higher
- Pressing: More often
- Prevent short goalkeeper distribution
- Stay higher: Use offside trap
- Force opposition outside: Use the flanks as additional defenders to isolate the ball carrier and reduce passing/dribbling options.
Player Roles and Instructions:
- Hradecky: Sweeper Keeper (Support)
- Tapsoba: Right Wide Center-Back (Support): Cross less often, dribble more
- Tah: Central Defender (Cover)
- Hincapié: Ball-Playing Defender (Defend): Dribble more, close down more
- Frimpong: Complete Wing-Back (Support): Mark tighter, tackle harder, dribble more, close down more
- Grimaldo: Wing-Back (Support): Mark tighter, tackle harder, dribble more
- Xhaka: Deep-Lying Playmaker (Support): Tackle harder, mark tighter
- Palacios: Regista (Support): Mark tighter, tackle harder, dribble more
- Wirtz: Attacking Midfielder (Support): Tackle harder, dribble more, roam from position, move into channels, get further forward
- Hoffmann: Attacking Midfielder (Support): Dribble more, roam from position, move into channels, mark tighter
- Boniface: Complete Forward (Attack): Shoot more often
Download
Xabi Alonso's Bayer... (41.03 KiB)
Test Results
Bayer Leverkusen
| ME | Win % | PPG | AGF | AGA | GD | PL | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24.3 | 88% | 2.74 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 2.09 | 34 | 30 | 3 | 1 |
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