Nobody could have anticipated Bayer Leverkusen's season so far but Xabi Alonso being a success is no surprise; with insight from Claudio Pizarro, we examine why; watch Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich live on Sky Sports Football on Saturday; kick-off 5. Comment and Analysis ghostgoal.
When Xabi Alonso retired, the messages from football's great and good poured in. One from Pep Guardiola stood out. It was not just the way that he conducted himself - and the game - on the pitch, although that was a clue. It was his unwavering curiosity, as Guardiola put it, coupled with a real seriousness.
He made football look like fun but he approached it like it was work. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player.
Speaking last season to Simon Rolfes, Bayer Leverkusen's sporting director, about the characteristics that attracted him to the idea of Alonso, he narrowed in on the importance of this personality trait. A stereotype, no doubt, but one that is being reinforced, nevertheless, by the presence of Mikel Arteta and Unai Emery towards the top of the Premier League table.
Alonso is a worker to his core but he has added layers on his travels. They can all see it. Claudio Pizarro wore the No 14 shirt for Bayern Munich and that put him on a collision course with Alonso, who had worn it at Liverpool and Real Madrid.
