Xabi Alonso debuted as head coach of Bayer Leverkusen against Schalke 04 and achieved an important victory to start his new adventure in the Bundesliga on the right foot.
The Spanish coach left his mark in this first litmus test to lift the club that is going through low hours. It is time to put the magnifying glass on the main tactical features of his debut on the aspirin bench:
The first tactical details of Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen
-System: The Spanish used a system that was mutating through the phases of the game. 3-4-2-1 in moments with the ball and 5-2-1-2 without the ball. An important change compared to what was seen with Seoane.
-Defensive approach: High block with defense advances with individual pairings to neutralize the rival ball exit. High pressure but not so aggressive to force the loss or the long ball to win second ball and start building from the bottom. An interesting detail: The striker kept an eye on the midfielder and the midfielders pressed the central defenders.
-With ball: Construction from the bottom with three aggressive center backs when it comes to having the ball. In the goal kicks Tah gets involved as a pivot and the goalkeeper served as the third central defender to generate advantages. Double pivot in front of the first line and the lanes occupied the wide zone, being the most vertical and deepest pieces of the team on the sides. Callum Hudson and Diaby were in the inside lanes behind Schick.
