Grimaldo: "Hjulmand is ideal for us"

There were lots of changes at Leverkusen over the summer, and only four players who started the final match of last season began against Gladbach last weekend. That can't be easy? 

Alejandro Grimaldo: "Yes, we’ve got lots of new players – young players with lots of talent, but they are still young. You can see that. We need time, we need to get used to the new coach, who’s only just arrived as well. While we need that time, football doesn’t wait for you.”

Were you expecting the kind of mixed results you have had so far this season?

Grimaldo: "We knew things wouldn’t be as easy or as fluid as in the previous two years, but we’re working to regain that confidence and fluidity.”

Watch: Grimaldo's free-kick magic helps Leverkusen beat Frankfurt

How can Leverkusen improve from here?

Grimaldo: "I think we need to pose more of a threat with the ball and have greater fluidity. It’s important for us to get to know each other. Over the last two years, we got to know each other very well, and there wasn’t much need for tactics. I think we need more of that connection between the players, which we’re doing step by step."

You also captained the side against Gladbach with club captain Robert Andrich suspended. That must have been an honour?

Grimaldo: "It’s always great and special to wear the armband. I'm very happy to be here, trying to help the team and especially the younger guys.”

Watch: Grimaldo's free-kick goals

What is your new coach, Kasper Hjulmand, like?

Grimaldo: “Very calm. He imparts a lot of confidence, which I think is very important for all of us. I think he’s the ideal person for us, as he is going to let us players play with freedom by using our own intuition. I think that will ultimately be a bonus for everyone and help them improve.”

Are you aware that you’re the best free-kick taker in Europe’s big leagues this season?

Grimaldo: “Yes, I knew that because there’s been lots of news about it, and I’ve read a few things. It’s something I’ve been working on for a long time. I think I’m a specialist in this area, and I try to improve more every day. Thankfully, I’m helping the team with it.”

Which of your free-kicks is your favourite?

Grimaldo: “The first goal I scored against Bayern at the Allianz Arena in my first year at Leverkusen. To play at the Allianz and score an important goal in the way I hit it – I think that’s one of my favourites.”

Was that the moment everyone in the Bundesliga became aware of you?

Grimaldo: “Maybe, because it was only the fourth game in the league. I’d just arrived in the Bundesliga. It was a bit like, ‘here I am. I’m Alejandro Grimaldo’.”

That was a special season, of course. Just how did you manage to go unbeaten in the Bundesliga and win the double?

Grimaldo: “I think lots of things came together for us to have an incredible year. We had a very good team, players with experience, with a lot of talent, and a very good coaching team. Of course, we had those slices of luck in key moments too, with the team always scoring in the final minutes to keep us unbeaten. That gives you lots of confidence. It was an incredible year. We made history, won the title – and without losing, which is a tough thing to replicate.”

We've heard you commemorated that year with tattoos on your chest?

Grimaldo: “I’ve got the four trophies I won in 2024 there. It was an important year, so I decided to get tattoos of them all - Euro 2024, the Supercup, DFB Cup and Bundesliga. It was such a special year that I wanted to get a tattoo for it, so I decided to do it.”