Bayer Leverkusen predicted lineup for Bundesliga 2024-25 season

Die Werkself aim to replicate their historic unbeaten run to Bundesliga glory.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen, fondly referred to as Die Werkself, recently carved their name into the annals of football history by shattering Bayern Munich’s long-standing dominance over the Bundesliga title. But that was not the only accolade they secured. In the Bundesliga’s storied, century-long existence, Leverkusen not only ascended to the summit of the Bundesliga standings last season, clinching the championship, but they also became the first club in history to remain unbeaten throughout the entirety of the domestic regular season.

The man responsible for this dramatic turnaround, Xabi Alonso, assumed the reins of the club when they were languishing in the relegation zone, desperately striving to avoid the drop. In October 2022, Alonso took charge, steering the team to a respectable mid-table finish. Few could have fathomed, even in their wildest imaginings, that within the span of a single year, Bayer Leverkusen would ascend to Bundesliga glory, remaining unbeaten across the entire domestic campaign.

Their remarkable form extended into the UEFA Europa League as well. There they progressed unbeaten to the final. However, their 52-game unbeaten streak across all competitions came to a halt, courtesy of a hat-trick from Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman. It handed them a 3-0 defeat in the final. Nevertheless, Leverkusen capped off the season with triumph in the 2024 DFB-Pokal, overcoming FC Kaiserslautern to secure a domestic double.

Xabi Alonso now faces the daunting task of replicating this extraordinary success. Despite tempting offers from other clubs and lucrative deals being presented, Alonso has chosen to remain steadfast in his loyalty to Leverkusen. His sights are set on proving that last season’s achievements were no fluke, but rather the result of merit and determination.

In today’s feature, we delve into the mind of Xabi Alonso and attempt to decipher who will be making their mark in the starting eleven for Bayer Leverkusen in the upcoming Bundesliga campaign.

Bayer Leverkusen predicted lineup (Formation: 3-4-2-1)

Goalkeeper: Lucas Hradecky

Lucas Hradecky, the seasoned 34-year-old custodian and the stalwart captain of both the Finland national team and Bayer Leverkusen, hails from the historical confines of Czechoslovakia. Having accumulated over two hundred appearances for Leverkusen, his tenure with the club spans nearly half a decade since his arrival in 2018.

As a captain, his leadership has been nothing short of exemplary, galvanizing his team toward success. In the DFL Supercup, Leverkusen emerged triumphant after a tense penalty shootout victory against VfB Stuttgart, completing the club’s first-ever treble—a feat in which Hradecky’s contributions were indispensable. Now, with his eyes set on further glory, he aims not only to replicate last season’s triumphs but also to expand his collection of silverware, both in Germany and across Europe.

Centre back: Edmond Tapsoba

The 25-year-old Burkinabé centre-back began his football odyssey with Salitas before embarking on a new chapter with Vitória de Guimarães. In 2020, Edmond Tapsoba opted to elevate his career to the pinnacle of German football, penning a five-and-a-half-year deal with Bayer Leverkusen.

Despite his burgeoning success, Tapsoba remains grounded, often drawing inspiration from defensive stalwarts like John Stones and Virgil van Dijk, whom he regards as his paragons. His combination of strength, speed, precision in passing and composure under pressure will undoubtedly serve as invaluable assets for Bayer Leverkusen in the forthcoming Bundesliga season.

Centre back: Jonathan Tah

Jonathan Tah a towering 6’5” presence at the heart of Bayer Leverkusen’s defence, has long been a harrowing force for opponents to contend with. Wearing the iconic number 4 jersey, Tah has established himself as one of the most dependable and loyal stalwarts of the club, having devoted nearly half a decade of service since his arrival in 2015.

Over the course of 258 appearances, Tah has contributed 12 goals to his club’s cause, further solidifying his status as a linchpin in their backline. A player of immense repute, Tah’s illustrious career includes being one of six Leverkusen teammates to be honoured with a place in the Bundesliga Team of the Season in 2023-24. His accolades extend to the European stage as well, having been named to the UEFA Europa League Team of the Season on three separate occasions.

Centre back: Piero Hincapie

Piero Hincapié, the prodigious 22-year-old, stands as a towering 6-foot-tall centre-back hailing from Ecuador. His footballing journey began at the tender age of seven. By the age of ten, he had already set his sights on Guayaquil, after honing his skills with Talleres.

In 2021, he embarked on a new chapter by joining Bayer Leverkusen, where he has since made 83 appearances and found the back of the net on three occasions. His defensive brilliance was further acknowledged when he was named to the 2024 Copa América Team of the Tournament, cementing his reputation on the international stage. Alonso will undoubtedly count on him to fortify the backline and ensure that the club’s defensive wall remains impenetrable.

Right midfield: Jeremie Frimpong

Jeremie Frimpong, the dynamic 23-year-old right-back from Amsterdam, has amassed over a century of appearances for Bayer Leverkusen over the course of four seasons, establishing himself as an integral part of the team. Before showcasing his talents in the top tier of German football, Frimpong spent nearly a decade in Manchester City’s esteemed youth system, where his potential was meticulously nurtured.

His relentless work ethic, coupled with his extraordinary athleticism has become a formidable asset for Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen. As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on Frimpong, whose electrifying presence on the right flank promises to be a key component in Leverkusen’s pursuit of further success.

Central midfield: Aleix Garcia

Aleix García, the 27-year-old midfielder hailing from Catalonia, embarked on his professional journey with Villarreal in 2015. His ascent from Villarreal C through Villarreal B to the senior squad is a testament to his dedication and talent. García’s career then took him to Manchester City, where he spent nearly five years, with the majority of his tenure spent on loan at Girona.

Given his stellar performances last season, Bayer Leverkusen opted to bring García on board. The anticipation surrounding his role under Xabi Alonso is palpable, as García’s proven abilities and recent form promise to be pivotal. With Alonso’s strategic acumen, García’s integration into Leverkusen’s squad is eagerly awaited. The expectation is that García will play a crucial role in replicating last season’s success.

Central midfield: Granit Xhaka

Granit Xhaka, the resolute captain of the Switzerland national team, embarked on a new chapter in his career by joining Bayer Leverkusen, following successful stints with top clubs such as Arsenal and Borussia Mönchengladbach. His inaugural season at Leverkusen proved nothing short of miraculous, as the club achieved an unprecedented feat by becoming the first-ever unbeaten side in Bundesliga history.

At Leverkusen, where he has already made 33 appearances and scored six goals, Xhaka is poised to play an instrumental role under Xabi Alonso in the upcoming Bundesliga season. As Leverkusen prepares to compete on both domestic and European fronts, including the UEFA Champions League, Xhaka’s experience, leadership and midfield prowess will be indispensable assets.

Left midfield: Alejandro Grimaldo

Alejandro Grimaldo García, the 28-year-old left-wing back from Valencia, began his footballing odyssey by joining FC Barcelona‘s youth academy in 2008. He made his debut for the Barcelona B team in a commanding 4-0 victory over Carta Gena. In 2016, Grimaldo transitioned to Benfica, where he spent seven seasons amassing 19 goals in 197 appearances.

His notable performances with Benfica captured the attention of Bayer Leverkusen, who secured his services. In his debut season at Bayer Leverkusen, Grimaldo quickly established himself as a key asset under Xabi Alonso, delivering an impressive 10 goals in 33 appearances. His contributions were pivotal, particularly on the left flank, where he became a cornerstone of the team’s success.

Attacking midfield: Jonas Hofmann

Jonas Hofmann, the 32-year-old seasoned attacking midfielder from Heidelberg, Germany, commenced his professional journey with TSG Hoffenheim before transitioning to Borussia Dortmund‘s reserve team in 2011. His rapid ascent through the ranks saw him making a significant impact on both the senior and junior teams, accumulating over a century of appearances and netting 18 goals.

Hoffmann was also instrumental in Borussia Dortmund’s triumphs, contributing to their DFL Super Cup victories in 2013 and 2014. At Bayer Leverkusen, Hoffmann has been a vital asset, contributing significantly to the club’s recent successes, including winning the Bundesliga and the DFL Super Cup. His extensive experience and consistent performances underscore his value to the team as they seek to build on their achievements.

Attacking midfield: Florian Wirtz

Florian Wirtz, the 21-year-old German attacking midfielder from Pulheim, is celebrated as one of the premier young talents in contemporary football. His emergence as a prodigious talent in German football was evident early on, prompting Bayer Leverkusen to secure his services with a permanent contract in 2020, following his standout performances in the FC Köln youth academy, which he joined in 2010.

Wirtz is widely regarded as one of the most promising young players. Under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, he is poised to further develop and realize his immense potential. Observers eagerly anticipate whether Wirtz can sustain his upward trajectory and continue to build on his impressive achievements.

Centre forward: Victor Boniface

Regarded as one of Europe’s most promising and dynamic strikers, Victor Boniface has become an indispensable asset for both Bayer Leverkusen and the Nigerian national team. His footballing journey commenced with Real Sapphire during his youth career before he made a significant move to Union SG for the 2020-23 season, where he notched 37 appearances and nine goals.

His impressive performances garnered widespread attention, leading Bayer Leverkusen to secure his services with a contract extending until 2028, under the number 22 shirt. His prolific form continued as he scored 14 goals in 23 appearances last season, maintaining an average of more than one goal every two matches.

Boniface’s remarkable debut season earned him the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season Award for 2023-2024 and a place in the Bundesliga Team of the Season. Additionally, he was the top scorer in the UEFA Europa League. Looking ahead, Boniface is poised to continue his exceptional goal-scoring form and ensure that Bayer Leverkusen remains a formidable offensive force in the upcoming season.

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