Last season, Bayer Leverkusen earned a series of nicknames during their incredible unbeaten domestic run: “Laterkusen” for their knack for last-minute goals, “Meisterkusen” for their league triumph, and “Doublekusen” after clinching a German double. However, this season, a new moniker has emerged, albeit less flattering: “Luckypunchgegentorkusen” – a reflection of their newfound vulnerability to conceding late, decisive goals.
The term “Lucky Punch” is a borrowed bit of Denglisch that refers to a goal scored against the run of play, while Gegentor means “goal conceded.” Combine this with Leverkusen’s -kusen suffix, and you capture their current struggles perfectly.
Before the international break, bottom-of-the-table VfL Bochum delivered the latest Lucky Punch. Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick opened the scoring early, but a misstep by captain and goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky in the 89th minute allowed Bochum’s Koji Miyoshi to equalize, leaving Leverkusen with glum faces on their trip back home.
From Dominance to Disarray
Leverkusen has lost the relentless edge that carried them through last season. In 2023-24, they never dropped a point after taking the lead in a Bundesliga game. This season, however, they’ve squandered 11 points from winning positions in just 10 games.
Notable collapses include blowing a 2-0 lead against RB Leipzig, squandering a 2-0 advantage to draw with Holstein Kiel, and conceding late goals against Werder Bremen and Bochum. These missed opportunities have left Leverkusen nine points adrift of Bayern Munich, effectively ending their title hopes early.
Theories Behind the Decline
Sporting CEO Simon Rolfes attributes the dip to a lack of ruthlessness in closing games, while Hradecky mentions poor Körpersprache (body language). Midfielder Granit Xhaka has pointed to communication issues within the team. Moreover, defensive vulnerabilities immediately after losing possession have been glaring.
On paper, the squad looks stronger this season, with newcomers like Martin Terrier, Aleix García, Jeanuël Belocian, and Nordi Mukiele. However, none have become indispensable. García, for instance, has struggled to make an impact, and his presence in midfield lacks the solidity provided by Robert Andrich.
Key players like Hradecky, Edmond Tapsoba, and Jeremie Frimpong have also seen their form decline compared to last season. Striker Victor Boniface has hit a scoring drought, recently losing his starting spot to Schick. Only Florian Wirtz has consistently shone, but one player alone can’t carry a team through an entire season.
A Glimmer of Hope
Despite their Bundesliga struggles, Leverkusen has shown promise in the UEFA Champions League, with strong performances against AC Milan offsetting a tough loss to Liverpool. However, few would bet on this version of Leverkusen reaching the final in Munich next May.
The upcoming DFB-Pokal third-round clash against Bayern Munich provides an opportunity to salvage their season. A one-off victory is within reach, especially with Bayern juggling tough matches against Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund.
For now, Leverkusen must focus on Saturday’s match against Heidenheim, another team capable of delivering a Lucky Punch. Whether Leverkusen can regain their resilience and finish Xabi Alonso’s tenure on a high remains to be seen.
