"The Blueprint - TOTS" - Play like Xabi Alonso in FC 25

Welcome to The Blueprint – TOTS. A weekly series where myself (pauciloquxnt) and FUTWIZ will be diving into the ‘Teams of the Season’ and how we can recreate them in FC 25. This week, to coincide with Bundesliga TOTS, we’ll be throwing it back to 23/24 and Xabi Alonso’s invincible Leverkusen side, hope you enjoy it!

Bayer Leverkusen 2023/24 – Dominance, Discipline & Tactical Perfection

Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen delivered one of the most remarkable seasons in European football history, redefining German football with tactical innovation, collective discipline, and an unrelenting winning mentality. Leverkusen completed an unbeaten Bundesliga season, securing their first-ever league title while reaching the DFB-Pokal final and the UEFA Europa League final, underlining their status as one of Europe’s most complete sides.

Leverkusen averaged 62.7% possession across all competitions, dictating the tempo with calm authority. Offensively, they registered an expected goals (xG) tally of 81.2 in the Bundesliga, while defensively maintaining an xGA of just 29.5, showcasing balance and structure.

Formation and Build-Up Play

Alonso’s Leverkusen primarily utilised a flexible 3-4-2-1 system, seamlessly transitioning into a 3-2-5 or a 4-2-3-1 depending on match demands:

• Backline Structure: Jonathan Tah anchored the defence alongside Edmond Tapsoba and Piero Hincapié, offering both solidity and composure in build-up. Their ball-playing ability allowed Leverkusen to progress through pressure without panicking.
• Wing-Back Dynamics: Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo were crucial, pushing high and wide to stretch opposition shapes. Grimaldo often tucked slightly inside to act as an extra playmaker, while Frimpong operated more like a direct outlet on the right.
• Midfield Dynamics: Granit Xhaka and Exequiel Palacios formed a double pivot, combining control, vertical passing, and defensive cover. Xhaka‘s deep distribution and Palacios‘ energy provided perfect midfield balance.
• Attacking Fluidity: Florian Wirtz was granted a free role between the lines, operating as the creative hub. His intelligence, movement, and ball-carrying ability allowed Leverkusen to unlock stubborn defences. Victor Boniface and Jonas Hofmann complemented him by stretching defences vertically and horizontally.

Leverkusen’s structured yet fluid system created constant numerical superiorities, allowing them to dominate both in build-up and final third progression.

Defensive Organisation & Pressing

Leverkusen’s defensive shape was as impressive as their attacking prowess. They deployed a disciplined 5-2-3 or 5-4-1 block when needed but preferred aggressive high pressing when opportunities arose:

• Relentless Pressing: Leverkusen pressed with intensity and intelligence, using triggers such as backward passes or poor first touches. Their press was not reckless but highly coordinated.
• Midfield Compactness: Xhaka and Palacios shielded the backline expertly, cutting off central lanes and forcing opponents wide.
• Transition Defence: The wing-backs recovered quickly into a back five, allowing Leverkusen to absorb pressure without being stretched.

This defensive versatility was key to sustaining their unbeaten run, ensuring they could adapt to various match contexts while maintaining control.

Key Roles Within the System

Jonathan Tah – The Defensive General

• Led the backline with authority and composure.
• Excellent positioning and aerial dominance.
• Initiated build-up with calm, progressive passing.

Granit Xhaka – The Midfield Conductor

• Dictated tempo with precise distribution.
• Shielded the defence and maintained tactical discipline.
• Orchestrated transitions from deep areas.

Florian Wirtz – The Creative Genius

• Operated with freedom between the lines.
• Created overloads and consistently broke defensive structures.
• Led the team with key passes, chance creation, and progressive carries.

Jeremie Frimpong – The Dynamic Outlet

• Provided width, pace, and direct threat on the right.
• Key in transitional moments and attacking overloads.
• Balanced attacking aggression with defensive recovery runs.

Tactical Innovation Under Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso’s greatest achievement was not merely organising a disciplined team, but redefining how a modern, possession-dominant side could defend, attack, and control transitions. His tactical innovation lay in Leverkusen’s remarkable flexibility: shifting seamlessly between structures depending on match scenarios.

Alonso blended positional play with dynamic vertical attacks, encouraging his players to interpret space intelligently rather than relying solely on rigid automatisms. Leverkusen’s use of asymmetrical full-backs, rotating midfield triangles, and variable pressing schemes allowed them to tailor their approach to different opponents without sacrificing their core identity.

This tactical fluidity made them unpredictable and incredibly difficult to prepare against, providing the foundation for their historic unbeaten domestic campaign and deep European run.

How This Helped Leverkusen Deliver a Near-Perfect Season

Alonso’s tactical framework enabled Leverkusen to dominate domestically and compete fiercely in Europe. Their unbeaten Bundesliga campaign was a product of tactical flexibility, mental resilience, and collective belief. Even under intense pressure during the final months, Leverkusen remained composed, managing games expertly and avoiding costly slip-ups.

Their late-game resilience, often scoring vital goals after the 80th minute, underscored their psychological maturity – a hallmark of title-winning sides.

Recreated for FC 25

Make sure to check out the full tactic on FUTWIZ

The Tactics

Build-up Style is set to Balanced, so that the fluidity remains in our control, and we always have an option for a pass.

Line Height is set to 70 so that we can trigger the press ourselves, not overcommit, but still maintain a suffocating front line.

The GK is set to Sweeper Keeper with a Balanced focus. We want our GK to be able to get to loose balls, but not do too much. Hradecky was limited with the ball at his feet.

The CBs are set to Defender with a Defend focus.. Leverkusen’s back 3 did have a more progressive CB on the right, but if we were to use BPD, this would be impossible to defend in. Therefore, we take the approach of Tah for all three and hold the line. If we want to progress the ball, we choose when.

The RM is set to Winger with an Attack focus. Frimpong was more of a right forward than a right wing back this season. He was allowed to dribble up the right-hand side, using his electric pace to often play the final ball for the assist.

The LM is set to Winger with a Balanced focus. Grimaldo was up and down that left wing all game. He overlapped, drifted inside, and just allowed himself to be involved with so much of the play.

The CMs are set to Box-to-Box with a Balanced focus. Although Xhaka was more defensive and Palacios more of a Segundo Volante, with the limitations that FC IQ puts upon us, we want them both to contribute defensively, and also with progressive passes and runs.

The RAM is set to Half-Winger with a Balanced focus. Hofmann often drifted wide and combined with Frimpong to unlock defences. For some reason the defensive AI doesn’t track Half-Wingers so you will have a LOT of space with them.

The LAM is set to Shadow Striker with an Attack focus. Florian Wirtz was everywhere across the front line, breaking into the box and popping up with countless goals and assists. With the other roles we have, the SS drifts across the whole front line, causing chaos with fluid movements.

The ST is set to Target Forward with an Attack focus. Boniface did it all – holding the ball up with his hideous frame, breaking past the last defender and ultimately making a nuisance of himself which left space for his teammates to take advantage of. A true complete forward.

Tips and Tricks

• R1 triggers to bring players short will be your best friend here – make sure you play short simple balls.
• Your RM is going to be open A LOT – make sure to draw the opponent in with nice interchanges, then unleash them into the acres of space you will have!
• Don’t try to rush! Make sure you are careful and considered in possession, frustrate your opponent and they will start forcing things, giving you easy turnovers.
• Make sure you utilise a big ST who can hold the ball up well, they will have opportunities to hold off CBs and play in the CAMs.
• DO NOT rush out with your CBs – it is suicidal. You need to chase back with your CMs, and let your opponent out wide. This means bringing your CBS in tight and using second man press to apply pressure to the ball carrier.

Conclusion

Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen produced a season for the ages, blending tactical sophistication, discipline, and flair. They set new benchmarks for consistency and resilience in German football. With a young core and clear identity, Leverkusen’s 2023/24 campaign may be remembered as one of the most complete and impressive seasons in European football history.

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