Picking an Elite Bayern Munich 5-a-Side Team from Current Squad
One of the most attractive features of football is that it's a game that can be enjoyed in some form or another, by anyone, anywhere in the world.
Whereas Formula 1 is a sport that fans can only watch but never participate in, football can be enjoyed on a professional pitch with an official ball and 22 players, or among a handful of children kicking a makeshift ball between a pair of space markers.
Five-a-side football is a game enjoyed by many fans who enjoy playing on the weekends, but it is a different game from the one they watch in the stadiums.
The question then arises: What if the professionals were to play five-a-side? Who among today's stars would be better and worse suited for the smaller, technical game that so many fans enjoy?
B/R has taken a look at the Bayern Munich squad and picked out a best lineup for a five-a-side team. Click "Begin Slideshow" for our picks, starting with goalkeeper.
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer
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The rules of five-a-side football will limit some of Manuel Neuer's greatest abilities, notably his skill with the ball at his feet and his ability to come off his line. However, there really is only one Bayern man who could play the role of goalkeeper in their five-a-side team.
Neuer's large frame would take up a considerable percentage of the goal space, and the small size of the pitch would see an emphasis put on his reflexes.
In a sense, it would be a return to his Schalke 04 days, when he had less dominant defenders ahead of him. During his time in Gelsenkirchen, Neuer made a name for himself with his ability to pull off miraculous saves. That's the most important quality needed to be a good five-a-side goalkeeper.
Defender: Arturo Vidal
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The concept of the "specialist" is waning in football as the game moves towards incorporating players of diverse skill sets.
In five-a-side, there is even less room for specialists due to there being fewer players on the pitch. What every side needs is players who can do anything, and this is where Arturo Vidal's quality is realized.
The Chilean is a perfect pick for a defensive role on a smaller pitch. His aggression and energy in winning the ball are exceptional, and he has good strength to stand up to any opponent.
He is also more than proficient both with dribbling and passing, and he can deliver powerful shots from distance as well. It's no wonder that he's played in midfield, at full-back and in central defense during his career.
Bayern's five-a-side team doesn't need the height of Jerome Boateng or Mats Hummels in defense; headers are disallowed in the game. But Vidal's defensive qualities are just enough, and he's a good option to move the ball forward from a defensive area.
Defender: David Alaba
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Like Vidal, David Alaba is a complete player who has defensive quality while also being able to work within a small space and bring the ball forward.
The Austrian offers a little less muscle, but more pace and perhaps cleaner defending skills than his teammate. And he'd be a perfect defensive complement.
During his career, Alaba has played in wide and central roles in both defense and midfield. He's a great winner of the ball in any position, has the skill and vision to orchestrate the attack from deep areas and is even a threat on goal.
Attacker: Franck Ribery
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Even at his advancing age, Franck Ribery would make a great five-a-side player. The Frenchman still has a quick turn of pace and his low center of gravity makes him extremely agile and therefore very mobile in a small game.
Ribery was able to take Bayern to the next level soon after his move to Munich in June 2007, as he was a player who could take on opponents in one-on-one situations; it was no longer a situation of "cross and hope."
The 33-year-old has exceptional close control and always seems to be thinking one step ahead of his opponent. He also has less of a bag and more of a sack of tricks up his sleeve. This one-on-one ability is probably the most important factor for an outfielder in five-a-side football, so Ribery is a perfect fit in this team.
Attacker: Douglas Costa
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If Ribery is a good match for the Bayern five-a-side team, it's no wonder that Douglas Costa is as well.
The Brazilian offers many similar skills to his wing opposite, particularly his talent in operating in tight areas. Costa is almost as effective as Ribery in one-on-one situations, and he has just as many clever dribbling moves at his disposal.
Costa would provide a bit more pace and strength than Ribery. But perhaps his greatest advantage is that he's a bit more two-footed than the Frenchman, who can be a bit more predictable in that his right foot is much better than his left.
Costa has proved to be capable of playing on either wing and is proficient with both feet, which could make him a bit more reliable as a finisher.
