Bayer Leverkusen are one of the most interesting football clubs you’re likely to come across. Owned by the Bayer pharmaceutical company, Leverkusen have failed to win the Bundesliga even once and have failed to win the Deutscher Pokal since the year 1993. Despite of a stern dearth of silverware, Leverkusen have always succeeded in maintaining a decent level in the domestic league and of late, have even made their presence known on the European stage. And as far as the recent times go, Leverkusen are always counted among the top four or top five clubs in Germany and consistently seem to give the likes of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund a run for their money. And a peek at how Roger Schmidt’s boys performed at the BayArena against Bayern Munich in the DFB Pokal (earliar this season), it gives an impression that the future truly looks bright.
Roger Schmidt’s high pressing system, which he so expertly adhered to at Red Bull Salzburg last season is well and truly visible at the Bay Arena too. The 48-year old’s tactical philosophy was one big reason why the Salzburg’s impressive approach to the game was commended by the people. The style of football he preaches has always been intriguing, fluid and a quality which stands out is verticality.
The case with Bayer Leverkusen, under Schmidt himself has been quite the same. Wide players Hueng Min Son and German Karim Bellarabi somewhat match the exciting duo of Mane and Kampl (who both left the club) in some ways. They’re young, pacy, threatening at the counter and can drop deep when needed and above all, fit into the counter pressing system with perfection. Both Bellarabi and Son have been standout performers for Leverkusen this season. Their combined sum of goals is twice as many as goals striker Josip Drmic and Stefan Kiessling have managed to rack up.
Leverkusen, much like Salzburg press in grids. In the German game, the pitch is divided into three zones or grids. The defensive zone, the midfield zone and the attacking zone. And Schmidt’s sides commence pressing from the edge of the opposition box, when their defenders are in possession. Salzburg were predominantly well equipped with a flat 4-4-2 formation with former Barcelona man Jonathan Soriano and Alan pressing up front but at Leverkusen, Schmidt makes use of Turkish starlet Hakan Calhanoglu’s versatility and their 4-2-3-1 almost acquires the form of a 4-4-2 with Calhanoglu pressing high up front.
Apart from a system which increasingly is beginning to the used by teams all over Europe, Schmidt is lucky to have a zealous set of players at his exposal. And not just this, they have a considerable amount of experience in their ranks too. Bosnian centre half Emir Spahic has been a central figure in their back line and has made a total of 30 appearances for them.
Skipper Simon Rolfes, who has announced his decision to retire from the game after the following season draws to a close, has been Leverkusen through and through too.
There is a considerable amount of rust in the Leverkusen trophy cabinet, but there’s no dearth of the amount of talent coming through the ranks. The front three and four are player who are always willing to have a run at defenders when not in possession and thus to nick the ball off in dangerous areas.
Young Swiss striker Josip Drmic, who succumbed to the pressure that was heaped onto his shoulders in the penalty shootout against Bayern is another young outlet for goals, has scored 6 times in the absence of senior front man Stefan Kiessling. He may not be the strongest of strikers in the air, but he’s a very good poacher who can sneak a goal or two when Leverkusen need them.
Tin Jedvaj, the young Croatian defender, who secured a permanent move to the BayArena from Roma this January, this another player who is destined for something big in the coming future. Jedvaj possesses a good reading of the game and is versatile enough to play at right and left full-back too. This season, the former Tottenham target has predominantly featured at the right and has scored twice, racking up an assist too. He makes 3.2 interceptions per game, which is quite impressive for a right back and even makes 1.8 tackles per game.
The trio of Hakan Calhanoglu, Karim Bellarabi and Hueng min Son is a vital part of the Leverkusen repertoire. Their constant pressure up front and trickery, pace and tireless work rate goes a long way in shaping the fortunes of Schmidt’s young side. With almost all three of them on the radar of some of the European elites, Leverkusen have got to make sure that they finish inside the top four, which would guarantee them a spot in next season’s Champions League and further, would help the club to retain the services of the dynamic trio.
Leverkusen have a good blend of everything at the back too. Omer Toprak, the Turkish centre half has been a brick wall at the back alongside Emir Spahic. Kyriakos Papadopoulos, the on loan Schalke defender, who can also play just in front of the back four, is counted among the best young defenders in the world and he’s proved that this season. The Greek youngster is strong in the tackle and is very good in air, just as his size suggests.
As far as his future is concerned, it does look bright. He strength and physical capability make him a perfect fit for the Premier League. The possibility that he will return to Schalke is a tad bleak, considering the fact that Di Matteo has the likes of Benedikt Howedes, Joel Matip and now Matija Nastasic in their ranks, and Jan Kirschoff (on loan from Bayern) too is rather likely to secure a permanent move to Gelsenkirchen sometime soon. Bayer do need a leader who can carry forward the torch from aged Emir Spahic and retiring Simon Rolfes, and looking at the kind of a take-one-on-the-chin-and-carry-on player the young man is, he could be the man to lead the German giants.
The pivot of the Leverkusen system is provided by talented German midfielder Lars Bender. His intense tackling and ball-winning capabilities have attracted attention from the biggest clubs in Europe and Bender makes 3.4 tackles per game and makes 2.7 interceptions too. He’s a sound passer too. And knows how to dictate play and string a series of passes together.
With the amount of talent that Leverkusen are in possession of, not to forget loaned out midfielder Christoph Kramer, the future does look bright. And looking at the status quo, Leverkusen will play the Champions League play offs next season, being 8 points clear of 5th placed Schalke. And that is the last thing they’d have to miss out on, if they are to witness something of an exodus.