Edmon tapsoba

Xabi Alonso: If anyone in the German league seems perfectly equipped to play a poker face role when things get tight, it is Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso.

Leading his side to the top of the league, the former Spanish star seems aware of what is ahead when the Bundesliga is set to kick off again this Friday evening after the winter break, representing the season's halftime.

As five clubs seem to battle it out over this season's title, cards seem to be reshuffled for the season's second half as several sides need to replace key figures due to the Africa Cup of Nations and Asia Cup and injury losses. While fans dream of the club's first national title in history, the 42-year-old two-time Champions League winner is keeping an eye on rivals such as Bayern (four points behind), Stuttgart (eight), Leipzig (nine), and Dortmund (15), while also needing to find solutions for Leverkusen, Xinhua reports.