Xabi Alonso's Tactics: Bayer Leverkusen attack with advanced wing back Frimpong

Xabi Alonso’s Tactics: 3-2-5 Attacking Shape with Wing-Back Threat

Written by: SoccerTutor.com Team

Published on June 2, 2025

Time to read 5 min

How Xabi Alonso’s Tactics created Europe’s most effective attacking-based possession system — and how you can train it

Few teams in recent memory have blended positional structure and attacking unpredictability like Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen. During their unbeaten 2023/24 Bundesliga season and beyond, Leverkusen delivered fluid, relentless attacking football. Their success is built on the 3-2-5 attacking shape, which is an aggressive in-possession structure designed to overload the final line and exploit the exceptional attacking influence of their wing backs.

Alejandro Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong are not traditional defenders. They are two of the most advanced and productive attackers in the system. Their width, movement, and timing helps stretch defences and open spaces centrally. The results speak for themselves: 92 combined goals and assists across the last two seasons. But more importantly, their roles give Leverkusen the tactical variation that turns control into penetration.

This article unpacks how Xabi Alonso uses the 3-2-5 to attack with purpose, and how you can train the same wide overloads, third-man runs, and central breakthroughs using position-specific drills from the bestselling book Xabi Alonso – 82 Passing, Positional Possession, Games, Patterns, and Attacking Practices.

🗣 Xabi Alonso:
"The team has to know how we want to play. Dominant, intense, controlled, with a winning mentality and that should be from the first kick-off until the final whistle. I will try to give the players clear instructions and ideas."

Tactical Analysis: The 3-2-5 that Overwhelms Defences

Bayer Leverkusen’s 3-2-5 is more than just a shape - it’s a platform for attacking fluidity. The three centre backs and double pivot ensure rest defence and circulation options, while five attackers — two wing backs, two attacking midfielders, and a centre forward stretch the pitch to pin the opposition back.

Grimaldo (LWB) often starts in deeper zones and times his movement to arrive in the attacking midfield line late. His ability to combine and shoot gives him threat from central and wide areas. Frimpong (RWB) is positioned high and wide from the outset, often receiving in space and using his pace and 1v1 ability to break the line.

Wing Backs' High and Wide Position in 3-2-5 Attacking Shape

Source: Xabi Alonso – 82 Passing, Positional Possession, Games, Patterns, and Attacking Practices

Diagram: Tactical and positional fluidity in attack with the wing backs’ high and wide positions in the attacking phase (3-2-5). Grimaldo holds his position deep initially, then times a forward run into the half-space after a one-two combination with the attacking midfielder. He arrives unmarked and either moves to deliver a cross or shoot at goal. It’s a textbook example of a Grimaldo delayed run with the 3-2-5 shape creating space in a central zone.

Right Wing Back Frimpong Used as a "High Flying Winger"

Source: Xabi Alonso – 82 Passing, Positional Possession, Games, Patterns, and Attacking Practices

Diagram: This is a tactical pattern central to Bayer Leverkusen’s style. The right wing back Frimpong holds the width and is 1v1 with the full back. He receives, dribbles to the byline, and delivers a low cross which the other wing back Grimaldo finishes at the far post. This highlights how both wing backs function as aggressive outlets and are often final-third finishers.

The 3-2-5 structure gives Alonso the ability to shift between building patiently and finishing explosively. The wing backs’ verticality is essential, as they are the players who add tempo and stretch defensive lines. Without this attacking wing-back profile, the shape loses its unpredictability.

Alonso’s real strength is embedding freedom within structure. The three-at-the-back base ensures stability, while the front five create fluid attacking rotations. This balance allows Leverkusen to maintain positional discipline while attacking with variation and precision.

Drills to Produce Alonso Tactics: Training the Final Third Combinations

To train the movements that make the 3-2-5 attacking shape so effective, Alonso uses structured positional practices. These drills simulate wide isolation, third-man runs, delayed arrivals, and far-side finishing, which are all seen regularly in Bayer Leverkusen’s match play.

PRACTICE 1: Attacking Positional Play Pattern with Both Wing Backs Advanced to Finish Attack

Source: Xabi Alonso – 82 Passing, Positional Possession, Games, Patterns, and Attacking Practices

Diagram: Switch to Frimpong (RWB), third-man run, and back post finish (Grimaldo - LWB). Xabi Alonso starts the move through the defensive midfielder (DM), who is pressed and plays back to the centre back (CB). CB passes to LCB, who carries the ball forward and switches play with a long aerial pass to Frimpong (RWB) high up on the flank. The attacking midfielder (RAM) makes a third-man run in behind and receives in the box. He crosses for Grimaldo (LWB), who makes a run to finish at the far post.

This pattern reflects Bayer Leverkusen’s 3-2-5 attacking structure, where both wing backs (Frimpong and Grimaldo) are key final-third contributors.

PRACTICE 2: Attacking Positional Pattern of Play with with Right Wing Back Moving Inside to Dribble into Box

Source: Xabi Alonso – 82 Passing, Positional Possession, Games, Patterns, and Attacking Practices

Diagram: Central build-up play and then the right wing back Frimpong drives inside to create. Alonso starts the move with a pass to the LCB, who is pressed and returns the ball to CB. Despite pressure, CB finds the DM, who plays out to the RCB. The RAM drops wide to receive, then plays forward to Frimpong (RWB) who has made an inside run into the half space. He dribbles past a coach and cuts the ball into the box for LAM to finish, supported by CF and LWB.

These practices highlight Bayer Leverkusen’s 3-2-5 attack, with Frimpong showing his trademark movement from wide to inside. His dynamic positioning helps overload central zones, disrupt defensive lines, and create chances through direct dribbles and cutbacks - key traits of Alonso’s attacking system.

Both practices reinforce the defining features of Alonso’s 3-2-5: attacking wing backs who arrive in key areas at high speed, positional combinations that break defensive blocks, and intelligent spacing between lines. They are not just passing patterns, they are tactical rehearsals for competitive matches.

🗣 Xabi Alonso:
"Possession football is not about keeping the ball for the sake of it. It's about patience, precision, and creating the right opportunities to break down the opposition."

This article was created by the SoccerTutor.com team using exclusive content and training insights. It includes extensive tactical analysis and features examples and practices from the bestselling book: Xabi Alonso – 82 Passing, Positional Possession, Games, Patterns, and Attacking Practices.

Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen have redefined positional play with a fluid 3-2-5 attacking structure and dynamic wing-back involvement.

This article breaks down the tactical principles behind their success, with detailed analysis and real training practices from Alonso’s sessions.

To explore more drills and positional patterns directly from Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen training sessions, check out the full Xabi Alonso – 82 Passing, Positional Possession, Games, Patterns, and Attacking Practices book featured below.