Bayer Leverkusen will be in action on Tuesday evening in the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal, and this means that a record held by Louis van Gaal could be broken. Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has achieved a remarkable streak since his arrival in Germany, similar to the one Van Gaal achieved as coach of Bayern Munich.
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Louis van Gaal’s remarkable tenure as Bayern Munich’s head coach began with high expectations when he took over the reins at the Bavarian club before the start of the 2009/10 season.
Known for his tactical astuteness and firm managerial style, Van Gaal quickly made an impact at Bayern Munich, guiding the club to success on multiple fronts. In his debut season, Van Gaal masterminded a DFB-Pokal triumph, winning the trophy through an impressive series of six consecutive victories, which laid the foundation for a record-breaking streak.
Bayern Munich’s run under Van Gaal in the DFB-Pokal was marked by a series of dominant performances, showcasing the team’s attacking prowess and defensive solidity. The journey began with a 3-1 victory over Neckarelz, a match where Bayern's superior quality proved too much for the opposition. The momentum continued with a convincing 5-1 win against Rot-Weiss Oberhausen, followed by a commanding 4-0 triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt. As Bayern advanced deeper into the tournament, their form remained impeccable. A 6-2 demolition of Greuther Fürth demonstrated their attacking firepower, while a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Schalke 04 after extra time highlighted their resilience and determination.
The culmination of Van Gaal’s DFB-Pokal success that season came in the final, where Bayern Munich dispatched Werder Bremen with a clinical 4-0 victory to claim the trophy. With stars like Arjen Robben, Franck Ribéry, Thomas Müller, and Bastian Schweinsteiger leading the charge, Bayern dominated their opponents and solidified their status as the premier force in German football. Van Gaal’s tactical genius was evident throughout the campaign, as Bayern adapted to different challenges and found ways to overcome even the toughest of opponents.
The following season, however, would see Van Gaal’s record-breaking streak come to an abrupt end. After securing four more victories in the DFB-Pokal, Bayern Munich’s run was halted by Schalke 04 on March 2, 2011. In a tightly contested match, Spanish legend Raúl scored the only goal of the game, effectively ending Bayern’s hopes of defending their title. Despite their best efforts, Bayern was unable to break down Schalke’s resolute defense, and the defeat marked the end of Van Gaal’s eleven-match unbeaten streak in the DFB-Pokal.
Fast forward to the present, and another ambitious manager has emerged on the German football scene, determined to make his mark. Xabi Alonso, a former world-class midfielder known for his elegance, vision, and football intelligence, took over as head coach of Bayer Leverkusen on October 5, 2022. Although Leverkusen had already been eliminated from the DFB-Pokal that season, Alonso quickly set about transforming the team and implementing his philosophy.
In the subsequent season, Bayer Leverkusen thrived under Alonso’s leadership, embarking on an impressive run in the DFB-Pokal. Leverkusen won their first six matches under Alonso, displaying a blend of attacking creativity and defensive resilience reminiscent of the teams Alonso once played for at the highest level. From their emphatic 8-0 thrashing of FC Teutonia to their 1-0 final victory over FC Kaiserslautern, Alonso’s Leverkusen demonstrated a remarkable ability to navigate the pressures and challenges of cup competition.
The momentum carried over into the current season, where Leverkusen continued their relentless pursuit of success in the DFB-Pokal. With four more victories added to their tally, including hard-fought wins over Bayern Munich (1-0) and FC Köln (3-2 after extra time), Leverkusen had reached a total of ten consecutive victories. The next challenge would be a quarterfinal clash against Arminia Bielefeld, a team ranked fourth in the 3. Liga but still capable of posing a threat to Alonso’s record-breaking ambitions.
On a chilly Tuesday evening, Bayer Leverkusen took to the field against Arminia Bielefeld, fully aware that history was within reach. The match proved to be a masterclass in control and precision from Alonso’s men. Leverkusen dominated possession, orchestrating play with fluidity and precision that mirrored Alonso’s own playing style during his illustrious career. The attacking trio of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Victor Boniface proved particularly dangerous, with Bielefeld’s defense struggling to contain their movement and creativity.
By the end of the match, Bayer Leverkusen had secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Arminia Bielefeld, a result that not only earned them a place in the DFB-Pokal semi-finals but also propelled Alonso into the record books. With eleven consecutive DFB-Pokal victories to his name, Alonso surpassed the record previously held by Van Gaal, cementing his place in German football history as the first coach to achieve such a feat.
The journey to this achievement has been nothing short of spectacular. Alonso’s meticulous approach to preparation, tactical adaptability, and ability to inspire his players have been key factors in Leverkusen’s success. His side has demonstrated an impressive balance between attacking flair and defensive discipline, with standout performances from both established stars and emerging talents.
Furthermore, Alonso’s accomplishment carries added significance due to the high level of competition in German football. Achieving such a streak requires consistency, resilience, and the capacity to adapt to different opponents and tactical challenges. The fact that Alonso accomplished this feat so early in his coaching career speaks volumes about his potential as a manager.
Comparing the record-breaking runs of both managers highlights their respective strengths. Van Gaal’s Bayern Munich was a powerhouse, built on a foundation of experienced stars and well-drilled tactics. Alonso’s Leverkusen, while perhaps not as stacked with world-class talent, has exhibited a modern, dynamic style that emphasizes fluid attacking play and structured defense.
The full list of Van Gaal’s record streak at Bayern Munich: Neckarelz (3-1), Rot-Weiss Oberhausen (5-1), Eintracht Frankfurt (4-0), Greuther Fürth (6-2), Schalke 04 (1-0 after extra time), Werder Bremen (4-0 in the final), Germania Windeck (4-0), Werder Bremen (2-1), VfB Stuttgart (6-3), Alemannia Aachen (4-0).
Xabi Alonso’s record streak at Bayer Leverkusen: FC Teutonia (8-0), SV Sandhausen (5-2), SC Paderborn (3-1), VfB Stuttgart (3-2), Fortuna Düsseldorf (4-0), FC Kaiserslautern (1-0 in the final), FC Carl Zeiss Jena (1-0), SV Elversberg (3-0), Bayern Munich (1-0), FC Köln (3-2 after extra time), Arminia Bielefeld (3-0).
With the DFB-Pokal semifinals looming, Xabi Alonso and Bayer Leverkusen are now aiming to extend their historic run even further. As Leverkusen continues to progress under Alonso’s guidance, the football world watches with great anticipation to see if the young Spanish manager can lead his team to ultimate glory in the German Cup.
