Boom or bust? Julian Brandt and Leon Bailey hold the key for Bayer Leverkusen
The Hinrunde was filled with disappointment and unfulfilling play for Bayer Leverkusen. Despite a wealth of young talent and sturdy veterans occupying key spots on the roster, Die Werkself sputtered and faltered in the first half to the point that Heiko Herrlich was relieved of his coaching duties.
Whether you believed in Herrlich's tactics and strategies or not, Herrlich's dismissal was a joint effort that was powered by an under-performing, yet vastly talented roster and his own questionable decisions as manager. When looking at reasons why the first half was so unsuccessful, the focus targets two of Leverkusen's top talents: Julian Brandt and Leon Bailey.
The winger duo had an excellent 2017-2018 season, but never got on track in the season's first half. Without consistency from the duo, Leverkusen's offense was never truly in sync and ultimately played a big role in why the club felt the urge to shake things up during the Winterpause.
Brandt managed only three goals and six assists in 23 games across all competitions in the first half of the season, while Bailey was even less productive with one goal and five assists in 23 games across all competitions. Just a year ago, the twosome was being touted as possible "Wingers of the Future" for Bayern Munich, but neither player has been an overly desired target on the transfer market of late.
This is not to say that performance of Brandt and Bailey was the reason that Herrlich got sacked, but the wingers drop in performance and production led them to become two central figures in the team's poor showing during the Hinrunde. To be clear, again, Brandt and Bailey didn't get Herrlich fired, but the club likely realized that it needed to make a change in hopes to salvage the season for the two wingers, along with the rest of the squad.
Now, however, Peter Bosz has stepped into the coaching box for Die Werkself and is hoping to unlock the cheat code to unleash the talented duo's full range of abilities. Blessed with pace, skill, and tenacity, both Brandt and Bailey are capable of affecting games even against the best competition. For all of that talent, though, the duo wilted in the spotlight of the first half during what was supposed to be a tremendous time for the club and both players.
With a chance for a new start, Brandt and Bailey appear to be embracing the change and playing more freely. Die Werkself dropped a hard-fought 1-0 decision to Borussia Monchengladbach in the club's first game under Bosz, but during Leverkusen's 3-0 victory over Wolfsburg over the weekend, Bailey and Brandt played with speed and confidence. The tandem looked far more disruptive than they had over the previous three months.
Brandt and Bailey have the capability and talent to lead a resurgence for Leverkusen. With Kevin Volland's determination in the final third and Kai Havertz phenomenal overall play, Brandt and Bailey have a legitimate chance to flourish in the coming weeks. Karim Bellarabi, Sven Bender, Lars Bender, Wendell, and Mitchell Weiser have all shown enough this season to think that each can help keep Leverkusen in the competition for a European spot in the league table.
It is Brandt and Bailey, however, that really hold the key to the rest of the season for Die Werkself. Should the duo be able to continue to be a menace on the flanks and play with the intellect that each has for the game, Leverkusen could quickly turn around its season.
The time is now for Leverkusen and it will need both Bailey and Brandt leading the way if it wants to avoid another coaching search and possible roster overhaul this summer.
