How Thiago Alcantara Would Fit At Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich land Thiago Alcantara at Guardiolaai??i??s insistence. How does Guardiola make sure that the player gets more playing time in a packed Bayern midfield.

Thiago Alcantara is on his way to Bavaria. Pep Guardiola was able to lure one his outstanding pupils at Barcelona for 20 million euros and probably the promise to turn Alcantara into one of hottest properties in World Football in time to come. One of the reasons that made Alcantara look beyond Barcelona is first team football, with the likes of Xavi and Iniesta showing no signs of slowing or stepping down, it was imperative that the highly talented youngster would look at greener pastures.

The change in guard at Bayern holds exciting times ahead. Anybody who has followed Bayern closely in the last decade or so would know that their strengths were discipline on the field, which ensured steady and dogged defending and then scoring on quick counters. Now with Guardiola at helm and the kind of players he has signed, Gotze and Alcantara are clear indications that Bayern will shift to Guardiolaai??i??s ways which involve attacking intent, retaining possession in tiki-taka style of play, creativity on display which justifies the sobriquet, ai???beautiful gameai??? associated with football.

Thiagoai??i??s arrival also alters a lot of equations at Bayern; before Guardiola went on record saying he wanted Thiago at Bayern and then closed the deal in little more than 72 hours; everyone thought that Bayern would be looking to sign a quality striker. Alcantaraai??i??s arrival definitely signals that Guardiolaai??i??s formula would be employing a ai???false nineai??? as opposed to a more conventional number nine. Top strikers of the game have had indifferent times during Guardiolaai??i??s rein at Barcelona, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Samuel Eto would vouch for that with perhaps David Villa joining in, now that he dons AtlAi??tico colours. While somewhere across Germany a certain Robert Lewandowski might be thanking the Dortmund bosses for saving his career, if not now maybe later. Thiagoai??i??s arrival almost guarantees that we will see the false nine in action at Bavaria.

For the most of last season Bayern utilized a 4-2-3-1 formation under Jupp Heynckes and it delivered great results. Bayern more often shaped up with a solid central defence pair in Alaba and Boateng (Van Buyten), Lahm and Alaba occupying the right and left fullback, double pivot in midfield with Martinez and Schweinstieger, Robben, Muller and Ribery in the attacking third and lone striker upfront in Mandzukic(Gomez). See image below:

Guardiola will surely shuffle that and use a 4-3-3 formation with a false nine. Understanding that the prime reason Alcantara left Barcelona was first team football, Guardiola would make him start/play most games. That makes Gotze as the most preferable choice for a false nine with maybe an option in Kroos or occasionally Robben (given his ability and tendency to shift to the centre). While Guardiola has wowed one and all with his beautiful game, he has also drawn flak for fielding a weak defence. Bayern on the other hand pride themselves for their rock solid defence and last season was no different. So in all probability Guardiola would not change the defenders and the holding midfielders. That makes only four slots available upfront and Guardiola has to choose from the likes of Muller, Kroos, Gotze, Ribery, Robben, Mandzukic, Shaqiri and Alcantara. Now to ensure Thiago gets optimum starts and play time the two possible 4-3-3 formations that Guardiola could deploy are depicted in the images below.

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Alcantara would have to keep in mind that being Guardiolaai??i??s favorite wouldnai??i??t guarantee him a place in the starting lineup; he would have to bank to Gotze doing a Messi and Martinez doing a Busquets, apart from his heroics on the field. Even if Gotze does a Messi it would ensure that Kroos will challenge Alcantara for his spot in the midfield and to stave off that competition Alcantara needs to be on top his game time and again. There is also a buzz in some fans that Guardiola might make Alcantara his false nine, given his showing in recently concluded Euro Under-21 but at this moment it seems highly unlikely.The first situation looks more likely going by recent history of Bayern and Guardiola, Bayern are happy to have the opposition dominate possession in their own half and Guardiola likes to retain possession and start tiki taka from his own half. The diamond formation in the attacking third provides more flair in attack and Guardiola in his reign at Barcelona has experimented with that. Also added to that the four in the diamond are comfortable switching positions adds to Guardiolaai??i??s advantage. The second is something Guardiola has used most often in Barcelona and Alcantara also would favour it given a choice because thatai??i??s the place the man he was touted to replace in Barcelona, Xavi occupies. Additionally he would have Schweinsteiger for company and that might help him blossom with greater confidence. The only question is would Martinez be able to take that load and be the Sergio Busquets in Bayern ranks because if he doesnai??i??t have a good day in the park that would make the Bayern defence vulnerable.

Guardiola has the confidence of Bayern bosses and fans for sure but in fitting Alcantara into the plans there is every danger that home grown stars like Kroos and Muller (who have great last seasons, Kroos till he was injured) would get less time on the pitch, something that might not go down well with the management or fans unless both he and Alcantara start delivering right from the start. However the good news for Guardiola is that young footballers like Gotze, Alcantara etc. trust and adore him, their transfers are proof of that. Maybe the likes of Muller and Kroos would also see Guardiola in similar light and with the knowledge ai???Robberyai??? (Robben and Ribery) in all likelihood would only be good enough for a couple of more years, they would be patient. The worse that could happen though is other members in the Bayern squad taking a leaf from Alcantaraai??i??s book; look for more game time elsewhere. Bayern have always had a majority of players comprise theAi??Die Mannschaft from their ranks and that is something that the Bayern fans are proud off, so if the German youngsters choose to leave it might not be an ideal situation at Bayern.

But if anybody can deal with the situation it is Guardiola and his recent moves indicate exciting times in Football. And as far as Bayern is considered, they are the hottest property in World Football this season and if they are able to retain Guardiola and the young players for the next few seasons, they will be the team to beat everywhere.

How Thiago Alcantara Would Fit At Bayern Munich

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