Although Bayer Leverkusen’s treble charge and 51-match unbeaten run was ended by an inspired Atalanta side in the Europa League final, Xabi Alonso’s men have since added the DFB-Pokal to their historic Bundesliga triumph.
This league and cup double has propelled Alonso into managerial stardom, with the Spaniard’s innovative 3-4-2-1 formation affording Leverkusen an exceptional balance between defence and attack.
In this post, we’ll look at how Leverkusen have evolved and grown into Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 shape, while looking at the side’s formation when out of possession. Let’s get into it!
Leverkusen’s Shape and Evolution
Alonso first implemented his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation last season, as Leverkusen played largely on the counterattack. However, Alonso sold forward Moussa Diaby and left wing back Mitchel Bakker during the summer, with these players known for their pace and direct running in transition rather than their quality in possession.
Their respective replacements were Jonas Hofmann and Álex Grimaldo, who are technically superior players and much better on the ball. The signing of former Gunner Granit Xhaka has also provided a metronomic presence in midfield and improved Leverkusen in all four phases of the game.
When in possession of the ball, Leverkusen now deploy a basic 3-2-4-1 shape. This sees wing backs Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong push high and force their opposing full backs into the defensive third, while attacking playmakers like Hofmann and Florian Wirtz operate in the half spaces behind striker Victor Boniface
Xhaka and Exequeil Palacios shield the back three and provide cover in behind the wing backs, while supplying probing balls into the attacking third. Xhaka regularly carries the ball forward and steps into the final third too, while centre back Edmond Tapsoba also breaks lines when in possession and often takes on the role of an old-school ‘libero’.
The goal here is to create overloads and underlapping runs during extended periods of possession, helping to sustain attacks and move opposing players out of position.
Addressing Leverkusen’s Shape Out of Possession
During defensive phases of the game, Leverkusen’s wing backs will drop much deeper and create a de facto back five. The two central midfielders will also fall back with Hofmann and Wirtz providing an additional screen just in front, establishing a compact 5-2-2-1 shape that forces opponents to shift the ball wide.
If opponents start to create overloads or enjoy success in wide areas, Hofmann and Wirtz may push wider and create a 5-4-1 shape when Leverkusen are out of possession. Up front, Boniface has the freedom to shift across the forward line and pressurise opposing centre halves, depending on Leverkusen’s pressing intent and block height.
During offensive transitions, Leverkusen will typically attack through their wing backs and execute swift switches of play where possible. In order to create overloads on the flanks, Hofmann and Wirtz will pull wide and connect the play, while Xhaka may also make underlapping runs in behind.
When Leverkusen build or counter attack on one flank, the player on the opposite side may also tuck inside. They can therefore make more central runs in behind and become key creative and goal scoring threats, with right wing back Jeremie Frimpong scoring an impressive 14 goals in 46 appearances this season.
The Last Word
Leverkusen’s 3–2-4-1 attacking shape and the inversion of at least one wing back during transitions not only creates offensive overloads, but it also enables the team to counter press aggressively immediately after losing the ball.
This has been a key evolution in Alonso’s tactics this season, helping Leverkusen to sustain attacks more effectively and create compact diamonds around the ball when attempting to recover possession. In 2022/23, Alonso’s team tended to drop back in a compact mid-block shape after losing possession, drawing their opponents on before looking to counter attack.
As a result, his team have evolved into a more aggressive and possession-oriented side, while retaining a clear and direct threat during attacking transitions. This has been key to their success this season, and creates a challenge for their opponents to overcome next season
