In a significant move for the upcoming 2024-25 Bundesliga season, the league will be incorporating the complaints protocol introduced during Euro 2024. The regulation specifies that only team captains are permitted to engage in discussions with match officials regarding decisions on the field. Leverkusen, the reigning league and cup champions, will hold a unique position due to their team captain being goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky (34), making him exempt from this directive. Consequently, Leverkusen can designate another player to interact with the referees during matches.

Social media responses varied widely to this new development. Opinions ranged from humorous suggestions about potential yellow card accumulations for certain players to earnest discussions about the feasibility and potential challenges of implementing this rule effectively in the Bundesliga. Some fans expressed excitement about the prospect of greater clarity and respect towards referees in matches, drawing on positive experiences from Euro 2024.

One player who is expected to take on the responsibility of communicating with referees for Leverkusen is Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka. As both the Swiss national team captain and a key figure in Leverkusen's midfield, Xhaka is renowned for his ability to strike the right balance on the pitch. Having displayed restraint and discipline in his interactions with referees in past seasons, Xhaka is seen as a suitable choice for this role, with many anticipating his appointment following his return from international duty.

As Leverkusen gears up for the new season, the official designation of Hradecky as team captain by manager Alonso is still pending. Reflecting on his successful tenure as captain in the previous campaign, Hradecky expressed his desire to continue in the role, highlighting the team's remarkable achievements, apart from a lone defeat in the Europa League final against Bergamo.

The adoption of the Euro 2024 complaints rule in the Bundesliga marks a significant shift in player-referee dynamics, as clubs like Leverkusen navigate the implications of this change while fans eagerly await the unfolding of the new season. With Xhaka poised to play a pivotal role in facilitating communication with match officials, all eyes will be on Leverkusen as they seek to maintain their dominance in German football.