5 reasons why Carlo Ancelotti and Bayern Munich are in trouble

#3 Alonso no more

Real Madrid CF v FC Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final: Second Leg — The midfield quality of Xabi Alonso cannot be replaced

An incredible player for club and country, Spanish midfield playmaker Xabi Alonso will be considered one of the greatest ever in his position, and his retirement is another departure that Bayern Munich cannot immediately recover from. An incredible talent and calming influence in the centre of midfield, Alonso not only dictated the pace of the game but could also open up defences with each perfectly placed long-range pass.

But while his departure was obviously a huge blow, it also coincided with the exit of Philip Lahm, and to lose two players of such quality is clearly significant. But Alonso and Lahm offer more than just on the field talent, as both players show the intense level of commitment and dedication needed to consistently succeed at the very highest level.

They were an inspiration to the rest of the squad, and not only have they not been replaced, but they are irreplaceable.

About the author

As a freelance football writer, I have extensive experience of covering the European game for a wide range of top level digital platforms and printed publications.

I have performed a number of exclusive interviews with some of the biggest names in the football world, and have reported live from the finals of UEFA EURO, Champions League fixtures, Europa League fixtures, Women's Champions League fixtures as well as top international and club fixtures during the course of my career.

My role has enabled me to sit down exclusively with the likes of Thierry Henry, Edgar Davids, Gareth Bale, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ryan Giggs, Aaron Ramsey and many others to discuss their experiences of competing at the very highest-level.

For Sportskeeda, I will be taking a closer look at the stories behind the stories from across the European game, with regular exclusive features on the players, clubs and managers making the headlines.

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Edited by Souvik Roy Chowdhury