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Tag Archives: Real Madrid

From Gold to Old: Xabi Alonso feels full force of FC Bayern’s emotional rollercoaster

Shortly after FC Bayern announced Toni Kroos’ departure to continental rivals Real Madrid last summer, it emerged that Xabi Alonso was to move in the opposite direction. The first impressions of Xabi Alonso were astounding. The midfield maestro himself must have been surprised about how rapidly and seamlessly he integrated into the team, breaking a few records along the way. For a moment, FC Bayern fans forgot Toni Kroos. For a moment, Xabi Alonso looked worth his weight in gold.

That is all in the past now. Fast forward to today and the Internet is awash with articles and social media comments about how Xabi Alonso is looking old and that he’s past it. So how does one exactly go from gold to old in the space of a few months?

He doesn’t. Continue reading →

Adios, Toni Kroos!

Following the transfer of Toni Kroos, one of FC Bayern’s top young talents to Real Madrid, a competitor on the European stage, it is worth looking at some of the reasons for his sudden but not entirely unexpected transfer.

Kroos has been an integral part of FC Bayern’s dominance of domestic and World Football, and was a key member of the recent German World Cup win; however there have always been rumours of contract disputes and potential transfers away from Bayern. Continue reading →

Bundesliga — the most boring league in Europe?!

Lewandowski, the only player to score 4 goals against Real Madrid in European competitions

Lewandowski, the only player to score 4 goals against Real Madrid in European competitions

Just yesterday, FC Bayern officially announced the signature of Robert Lewandowski on a free transfer from league rivals Borussia Dortmund. In the meantime, media and football fans around the world launched a scathing attack against Bayern Munich, accusing them of once again employing tactics to turn the Bundesliga into a boring one-horse race.

Yawn. Continue reading →

If I Was Jupp… (Part 1)

If I was Jupp... Five Talking Tactical Points (Part 1)

Disclaimer: This article was written before the poor displays by Bayern in the last few matches and prior to Schweinsteiger’s injury.

All of us love to be armchair managers, whether it is in Football Manager, simply playing FIFA with friends or in nearly every match thread. This is a hypothetical two-part article in which I will attempt to be an armchair manager and ask some core tactical questions that, if implemented, I believe could make us close to being unbeatable in Europe. Continue reading →

“It’s all about the EXPERIENCE”

Mancini

This aforementioned statement was consistently utilized by Roberto Mancini, the media and even the players when referring to their debut Champions League campaign. They constantly highlighted that although City possessed Champions League experienced players it was their first year in the Champions League as a team. The likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, AC Milan and Inter Milan are always highlighted as the cartel of Champions League football, i.e. they all possess this so called asset of “experience” to be consistently successful in this tournament. Continue reading →