How Bayern Munich Can Get the Best Out of Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso joined Bayern Munich just over a week ago as an 11th-hour transfer, bringing an abundance of experience to the German giants' midfield. Coming so late in the window, the 32-year-old was surely not at the top of Pep Guardiola's priorities when the transfer market opened at the beginning of July, but other events over the course of the summer have forced the trainer to adjust his plans. Now he'll have to tweak his tactics to get the best out of his new signing.

In spite of his advanced years, it looks as though Alonso will get plenty of minutes at Bayern, at least until the winter break. Thiago Alcantara was initially expected to be sidelined with a knee injury until at least late October, but Matthias Sammer recently admitted to Kicker (h/t Goal.com) that the Spaniard's prognosis is uncertain. Bastian Schweinsteiger is likely to return sooner, but is injury prone, had no preseason and in all likelihood will experience the same post-World Cup fatigue he underwent in 2010, especially considering the yeoman's effort he put forth in Brazil. Javi Martinez was another option in central midfield but following an anterior cruciate ligament tear will miss half a year before even beginning training.

Considering all the fitness issues in their midfield, Bayern needed more depth in the center. Their other options are the still-uncapped Sebastian Rode, youngsters Pierre Hojbjerg and Gianluca Gaudino, and natural full-backs David Alaba and Philipp Lahm. Alonso is a natural central midfielder, a world champion and European champion at both club and international level. And although past his prime at nearly 33 years of age, he can be a big asset to his new club if used correctly.

In terms of his distribution from deep areas of the pitch, Alonso is as effective as any other Bayern player. Thiago is the only man in the midfield who can rival his compatriot, but although the 23-year-old is perhaps more accurate with the ball at his feet, Alonso offers the superior judgment that comes with his experience. He's less prone to making the lapses in judgment that occasionally mar Thiago's game. Alonso will be the right man to "quarterback" the Bayern build-up at least for the first half of the season and perhaps longer, depending on Thiago and perhaps Schweinsteiger's recovery.

If Bayern start with Alonso in midfield, they'll need a player to complement his abilities and mask his deficiencies. Although he may have a sturdy frame, the veteran was never a great defensive player. He was never noticeably quick and has lost more pace. And for any player meant to do most of the build-up work, it's helpful to have another who is more wary of his positioning if the ball is lost. Just as Schweinsteiger had Martinez to play a secondary role in possession and soak up space and break up play when opponents gained possession during Bayern's treble-winning 2012-13 season, Alonso will need the right fit at his side. A 4-1-4-1 system is just not an option.

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

Among the entire Bayern team, David Alaba may be the best complement for Alonso. The Austrian is a trained defender, has pace and can tackle. His experience at left-back has given him a good understanding of moving the ball quickly, of receiving the ball and immediately passing and running. That skill adds a dimension Alonso won't bring; the two can complement one another quite well.

Aside from Alaba, Rode is potentially a good partner for Alonso. Although more an "8" than a "6" in the midfield, the ex-Frankfurt man is younger and brings energy to the midfield. He's stronger than, if not as quick as, Alaba and is perhaps a bit more similar to the Spaniard in terms of his playing style. But he is more two-footed than Alaba and more accustomed to playing in central midfield and even bursting into the penalty area. Although perhaps considered by many to be another Bayern signing for the sake of signings, Rode has proven that he has the class to play alongside even top stars. He brought class out of Alonso in the Spaniard's Bayern debut and could continue to do so throughout the season.

One combination that in all likelihood will not work so well is that of Schweinsteiger and Alonso. Both slow down the play significantly both in terms of their decision-making and their actual lack of great pace. And both prefer a "regista" role, spraying the ball around the pitch. Thiago and Alonso also would be suspect, with the former also demanding more of the ball and both players being defensive liabilities.

Neither Schweinsteiger nor Thiago is fit at the moment, and it may be that neither plays much at least before the winter break. In the meantime, and in spite of their being many injuries to deal with, Bayern have a solid option in Alonso and multiple options who can be positioned alongside him to bring out his best qualities.

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