Leverkusen‘s Grimaldo Revives Bundesliga Free Kick Artistry
LEVERKUSEN,Germany – Alejandro Grimaldo has emerged as a rare free kick specialist in the Bundesliga,becoming only the eighth player in league history to score multiple direct free kick goals in a single season. The Bayer Leverkusen left-back’s prowess from set pieces, coupled with his overall attacking contributions, has made him an indispensable part of the league-leading “Werkself.”
Grimaldo,speaking in his introductory interview with Leverkusen in 2023,revealed he meticulously studied the techniques of Gareth Bale,Cristiano Ronaldo,and Juninho to refine his own skillset. “In the meantime, I have a certain routine and experience in exercising, I have been working on technology every day for over 15 years,” he said. “I copied the technology and execution especially with Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Juninho.” this dedication has translated into tangible results, with Grimaldo now boasting 21 goals in the Bundesliga, a third of which have come from standard situations.
The Spaniard’s impact extends beyond goals. In Leverkusen’s title-winning season, he amassed 23 scorer points, the most of any player on the team. as joining the club, Grimaldo has missed only three Bundesliga matches, solidifying his status as a key figure. He recently became the first player in over a decade to score multiple direct free kicks in a season, surpassing even former Leverkusen set-piece expert Hakan Çalhanoğlu.
Grimaldo’s success highlights a resurgence of free kick artistry in the Bundesliga, a skill that has become increasingly rare in modern football.
Simon Bartsch
