Erstaunliche Ankündigung: Heute wurden zwei Schlüsselspieler von Bayer Leverkusen als die… anerkannt.
Leverkusen fans finally witnessed their team clinch the league title after years of heartache, including five runner-up finishes.
While the mastermind behind Leverkusen’s breakthrough title win is undoubtedly Xabi Alonso, the coach had an outstanding squad at his disposal.
The quality of Leverkusen’s team, with many players on long-term contracts, was enough to persuade Alonso to dismiss interest from Liverpool and Bayern Munich and commit his future to the club beyond this season.
AFP Sport highlights five key players from Leverkusen’s title-winning campaign:
**Florian Wirtz:**
Among a talented group of attackers, Florian Wirtz has been the standout.
With a passing range reminiscent of Kevin de Bruyne, Wirtz is the creative engine for Leverkusen. This season, he has recorded 14 goals and 18 assists across all competitions—both career highs.
At just 20 years old, Wirtz’s maturity has shone through, particularly as the club’s designated penalty taker.
As the title approached, Wirtz rose to the occasion, scoring in three of the final four league games leading up to the decisive match against Bremen. He also contributed two goals and an assist in the German Cup semi-final victory over Fortuna Düsseldorf.
His hat-trick in the title-clinching game on Sunday sent fans storming onto the pitch, cementing his status as the crown jewel of Alonso’s squad.
**Alex Grimaldo:**
Leverkusen secured left-back Alex Grimaldo on a free transfer in the summer, and the Spaniard has repaid their faith.
Grimaldo made his mark in the league with a stunning free-kick in Leverkusen’s 2-2 draw at Bayern in September.
Teaming up with right-back Jeremie Frimpong for a combined 39 goal contributions in the league, Grimaldo has also been deadly from set pieces.
Heading into the Bremen match on Sunday, he had logged more minutes than any other Leverkusen player—and all but one outfield player in the entire Bundesliga this season.
Grimaldo, 28, made his debut for Spain this season, one of seven Leverkusen players to receive their first international call-up this year.
