Grimaldo's Stellar Season: A Farewell Performance of Dominance
Acknowledging Individual Brilliance: Grimaldo's Dominant Season
Alejandro Grimaldo was overwhelmingly selected as Bayer Leverkusen's top performer by Bulinews writers, securing a clear majority with seven out of ten votes. This recognition comes as he concludes what is likely to be his final season with the club, leaving a significant legacy.
Overcoming Early Season Challenges: A Team's Resilience
Bayer Leverkusen's season began with considerable instability, including the dismissal of coach Erik ten Hag after just two matches and the subsequent departure of Kasper Hjulmand despite a commendable Champions League run and a sixth-place finish in the Bundesliga.
Grimaldo's Unmatched Contribution: Goals and Assists Aplenty
Grimaldo, alongside his teammate Aleix Garcia, was one of only two Leverkusen players to exceed 4,000 minutes of play across all competitions this season. He led the team in assists and was second only to Patrick Schick in goals, netting 14 times, with eight of those in the Bundesliga.
Highlighting Peak Performances: Memorable Moments on the Field
The attacking wingback delivered multiple outstanding performances, including three instances where he scored two goals in a single match. A notable example was his first-half brace in the 6-3 victory over Wolfsburg on matchday 28. He was a consistent presence, missing only one game in the latter half of the season—a home draw against champions Bayern.
Mastery of Set Pieces: Free-Kick Prowess
Grimaldo's exceptional skill from direct free-kicks was a standout feature of his season. He scored two such goals in Hjulmand's inaugural game and accumulated five direct free-kick goals throughout the season, surpassing his combined tally from the previous two seasons.
Recognizing Other Key Players: Contributions from Talented Teammates
While Grimaldo ultimately claimed the top honor, other players also made significant impacts. Patrick Schick, who narrowly missed out on the award last season to Florian Wirtz, received no votes this time despite a strong finish to the campaign. Ibrahim Maza and Jarell Quansah also garnered votes, acknowledging their impressive debut seasons in the Bundesliga and their upcoming World Cup participation.
