Pep already confirmed that Benatia and Alonso will be in the squad for the game against Schalke tomorrow, which shows how important both signings were as a reaction to our injuries. We didn't need more young players with potential, we needed quality players who can help the team instantly. With Martinez, Thiago, Schweinsteiger not available and Rafinha also injured, so that we can't move Lahm into midfield, I wouldn't be surprised if Alonso gets his first start tomorrow.
Xabi Alonso | Bayern Munich player
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss Amad saving our blushes in a win against Southampton as well as our now annual loss at home to Brighton. They discuss Amorim's post-match comments, revisit how mid-table we may or may not be, and discuss some transfer news.
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Is it just me or would he make a great superhero? Should consider moving to Hollywood when he retires from football.
Good luck in Germany, Alonso. Thanks for the memories!
Didnt know that, maybe just ultra competitive on the pitch.
He does have trophies tatooed on his calves tho. - doesnt sound particularly bright.
He might play tomorrow already?! Jesus, that escalated quickly!
Tomorrow is going to be interesting... Pep certainly makes life more exciting. 
As soon as he returned from injury the team improved massively and he played a big part in our long run of good form and more fluid football. I thought he was our best player as well as Modric vs Bayern over the two legs and I think we missed him a lot in the final so he is definitely still capable of having world class performances but not as regularly as he used to (and he struggled in games vs Dortmund and barca). He fouls a lot more these days and he gives away the ball much easier under pressure also. I think he will do well for Bayern and can be an important player, but unfortunately you are signing a player whose best days are behind him. I am pretty sad about this as I was hoping he would retire at Madrid. He is one of my favourite players and I always loved how he could stay calm in situations of immense pressure and still pass the ball forward whether he was back defending or in midfield. I think we will really struggle to replace him as he brought so much balance to the team, players like that are very hard to find.My dream!!!!
One question; is Xabi still world class for longer periods of time? What a midfield we could have.
Will see you @Raul Madrid in the KO stages. Still some things to answer.
He's a king among men. He's so classy, Sociedad fans gave him a sword when he fecked off to England.
Great little dig at Rafa.
?? He gave a press conference in Madrid to say goodbye and mentioned all the Real managers during his time there. Why would he talk about Benitez?
Did you actually read? So when was his Dad manager of Real Madrid? Must have missed that.
Good short term solution for Bayern. We could have done with him as well but playing for Pool in the past might not made us favorites (next to other obvious reasons)
A strange transfer, but good business for Bayern.
Clearly talking about his dad proves your point
. Was it also a great little dig against all the other managers in his career, like del Bosque for example? Did you actually watch the press conference or at least read a translation of everything he said so that you actually know about the context of this short part? To me it was quite clear that he was only talking about his time at Real.Clearly talking about his dad proves your point
He was asked about coaching and who he learned off.
So yeah, he is just going to mention his Dad randomly. Who apparently was coach of Real Madrid.
His dad was playing for Real Sociedad and for Barcelona in the 80s. Played together with Bernd Schuster and Diego Maradona. And later was coach at various smaller teams.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periko_Alonso
Can't believe Rafa wanted to replace him with Barry.
Big thank you for the info.
Im fine with that. We can rest him and use him for the big games and so on.
The balance part is exactly what we need. A experienced guy who can calm the guys as long as Schweini is out.
Then lets hope for good Xabi years in München and we see us in the CL.
Real vs Bayern is the thing for me. CL at its best.
Alonso : I rejected offers from English clubs to protect my #LFC legacy.
The chance to play for Bayern probably had something to do with his decision as well.
Yeah. I posted it to back up what Ballague said yesterday.
Bayern getting in a lot of Spanish players, though perhaps not so surprising.
Didn't Mourinho want Schweinsteiger for Madrid? At least there were some rumours.
Edit: Yep never mind, Blackwidow just confirmed it some posts above.
4 according to Sky Sports, 5 in reality (Javi Martínez, Alonso, Thiago, Juan Bernat and Pepe Reina)
I reckon they will soon sign a lot of spanish youth players too
If Bayern gets German players the talk about weaking their opponents would start again...
Why should they sign Spanish youth players - makes no sense.
I do not think in any of the cases being spanish mattered. There is not many players in Europe that could replace Schweinsteiger in similar quality when he is out injured apart from Alonso (price, abilities etc.). Tell me the good goalkeepers that would play 2nd behind Neuer and not be 1st in another team... Thiago saw a stop in his development at Barcelona and is a special Guardiola project. Bernat actually was a Reschke transfer - yes, Guardiola gave his ok. And Martinez was there before Guardiola arrived...
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Bossing it for Bayern on his debut.
As you would expect from such a quality player.
Finally playing for team I don't dislike.
How come this is still in the transfer forum?
Can anyone explain to me why Bayern sold Kroos and bought Alonso?
I don't think they had much intention of replacing Kroos, until Martinez got injured (he played DM and CB).
So they were forced to go into the market for Benatia and Alonso. I could be wrong though (especially on the Alonso bit as JM was going to play as a CB mainly).
@Balu maybe he can shed some light.
Seems about right. Kroos gets Ribery,Götze money at Real. Our board didnt see him up there. And after the WC Kroos was already in talks with Real and we would have overpaid.
They didnt see the need.
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