Xabi Alonso’s evolution: How an elite long-range passer turned against long balls

“It’s no exaggeration to suggest that Xabi Alonso’s first full season in management should be considered one of the most impressive campaigns in the history of the European club game. To end Bayern Munich’s 11-year winning run is remarkable in itself. But Alonso took charge of Bayer Leverkusen a couple of months into the 2022-23 season, when they were second-bottom after just eight matches. To oversee such a dramatic turnaround was almost unthinkable in itself — but Alonso’s side have also gone the league season undefeated. On Wednesday, they will contest the Europa League final against Atalanta, and then they are heavy favourites to complete a domestic double in Saturday’s DFB-Pokal final against second-tier strugglers Kaiserslautern. …”
NY Times/The Athletic – Michael Cox
Guardian: Atalanta win Europa League as Lookman hat-trick ends Leverkusen’s unbeaten run – Jonathan Wilson