Bayer Leverkusen, under the management of Xabi Alonso, is currently experiencing a remarkable season in various competitions. The team is vying for their first-ever Bundesliga title, targeting success in the DFB Pokal, and performing admirably in the Europa League. With an impressive unbeaten streak of 34 games, Leverkusen has firmly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in German football.
Despite their remarkable run, there’s a noticeable deficiency in Leverkusen’s striker department. Notably, the team has not seen a goal from a striker since the beginning of the calendar year. Victor Boniface, once a key forward, has been sidelined due to injury sustained while on international duty with Nigeria. In his absence, players like Jeremie Frimpong, Nathan Tella, Álex Grimaldo, and Florian Wirtz have stepped up, displaying versatility by contributing goals from various positions on the field. Leverkusen boasts the highest number of different goal scorers in the Bundesliga this season, highlighting the team’s collective effort in finding the back of the net.
Striker Woes: An Area for Improvement
The lack of goal-scoring output from Leverkusen’s strikers presents a notable concern for the team’s management. Despite the admirable contributions of players like Patrick Schick, Borja Iglesias, and Adam Hložek, none of them have managed to find the back of the net since Boniface’s absence. However, their involvement in link-up play has proven beneficial, providing opportunities for other players to capitalize on scoring chances.
While Leverkusen’s current system has proven effective in the absence of prolific strikers, the potential reliance on forwards for goals in the future remains a point of apprehension. Injuries or shifts in form can quickly alter the dynamics of a team, underscoring the importance of having reliable goal-scoring options throughout the squad. Although Leverkusen’s season is far from being in crisis, addressing the issue of striker productivity could further enhance what has already been an exceptional campaign for the club
