Mini-Xabi and leading young talents join forces. - Leverkusen's emerging talents for the future
The loss of 2:3 against N.V. in the DM final for Bayer Leverkusen's under-17s was a tough blow.
"It's a major letdown at the moment," admitted coach Sergi Runge (30) immediately after the game ended. "But we're still incredibly proud. The season was fantastic, the progress of the team and the individual players has been exceptional. We'll learn from this match, we'll keep going next season!"
There was only one loss throughout the season, and that was in the final, after 22 victories and 6 draws. Bayer scored 80 goals and allowed just 24.
It's undeniable that anyone who has watched this team play knows why they're calling it the most promising young squad in Leverkusen in recent years. The fact that the team houses many current junior internationals for the DFB also adds to their credibility.
These are the young stars of Leverkusen
Ferdinand Pohl (17) and Ben Hawighorst (16): These two central defenders make a formidable pair. Physically imposing and calm on the ball, they're technically proficient players as well. Pohl has been with Leverkusen since 2014, while Hawighorst joined in 2018.
Naba Mensah (17): The DFB U17 player, who could also play for Ghana, is reminiscent of Exequiel Palacios with his understanding of the game. His brother Jeremiah, a year younger, also plays in the U17s and can play centrally in midfield and on the wings.
Francis Onyeka (17): Mensah's partner in the double-six is considered one of the club's brightest midfield prospects. The German U17 international, who also holds Nigerian nationality, often plays for Bayer's U19s.
Kerim-Sam Alajbegovic (16): This street footballer joined from 1. FC Cologne in 2021. A two-footed left winger with playmaker qualities. The Bosnian junior international scored the sensational 1:0 in the final against Dortmund.
Artem Stepanov (16): The 1.92-meter-tall Ukrainian player came from Donetsk after the start of the Russian war of aggression in 2022. His hairstyle is reminiscent of Erling Haaland, while his playing style combines elements of Dimitar Berbatov and Andriy Voronin. 19 goals this season say it all.
Then there's the coach's star player: Sergi Coral Runge. A mini-Xabi, Spanish like his compatriot Alonso.
Runge learned German at the Swiss school in Barcelona. His grandfather is from Basel, which is why the coach also has a Swiss passport. Runge came to Leverkusen from FC Barcelona as a youth coach two years ago. At the age of 25, he was already an assistant coach at top club LD Alajuelense in Costa Rica. Runge's playing style, with multiple possessions and control of the game, is similar to that of the professional team members at Bayer - and that's no accident.
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Source: symclub.org
