Martinez and Schweinsteiger: Bayern's powerful dynamic duo

The backbone of the Barcelona team, Xavi and Iniesta, were once one of the most dangerous midfield combinations in the world. The two diminutive incredibly gifted playmakers ran rings around the opposition defence, using their accurate passing ability to create chances for their teammates and each other. Top midfielders around the world winced at the prospect of playing against them because they couldn’t catch up or match them in midfield. People argued that the partnership could never be stifled nor forced into submission. How wrong were they! In the 7-0 aggregate thrashing of Barcelona in the UCL semifinals, the world saw the emergence of another midfield combination which tilted the balance of power in Europe in the hands of Bayern Munich. Xavi was left groping around looking for space, while Iniesta found himself facing a rock.

The partnership of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Javi Martinez in Bayern’s midfield is just a year old. After the latter’s €40 million move to Bayern, Heynckes used them both in the centre where they gradually started to work together on the field. They are defensive midfielders with technical and passing ability, so physically strong that they bullied off their midfield opponents in the Bundesliga. As the two were receiving praise for their work at Bayern, the bigger stage beckoned. Could Bayern finally capture the Champions league with the kind of players they had, riding on the back of Martinez and Schweinsteiger in midfield, Robben and Ribery on the wings?

The difference the duo has made to the Bayern Munich team is immense. The double pivots have protected the two centre backs so well that they have concealed the weakness in defence. Dante is without doubt a terrific signing, but the ability of the other centre backs has been questioned. Van Buyten is ageing and his lack of pace has been criticised. Boateng is not a natural CB and has played as a full-back for Germany. Badstuber was injured for the most part of the season. In the semifinal second leg, the duo protected the back four so well that Dante’s absence was never missed.

Their performance in the semifinal first leg was nothing short of extraordinary. Javi Martinez, the 6 foot 3, no.8 physically imposed himself on Iniesta, thereby restricting his dangerous runs inside the box. So much so that even Busquets had to step up to try and nail Martinez. He also roamed forward during Bayern’s attacking play. Alongside him, Schweinsteiger was orchestrating passing moves during transition, deftly playing one two passes with Ribery and Alaba on the left to allow them to barge in through the left flank. The duos are the high performance engine of the Bayern team, who also do the dirty work of tackling and sweeping in front of the defence. In short, they are physically advanced versions of Xavi and Iniesta.

They complement each other off the pitch too. Martinez spoke about his counterpart when he joined him from Athletic Bilbao. “Schweinsteiger is a legend, a great guy. He speaks a bit of Spanish and is trying to help me to settle in” He also called him a “bull” and “a force of nature”. By helping each other in improving their abilities, the new solid pairing have forged a partnership that will scare teams facing them around Europe in the near future.

With Bayern in the Champions league finals yet again, they are on the threshold of dominance in European football. The 7-0 aggregate win against a great Barca side which included Messi, undoubtedly will be a highlight in Bayern’s illustrious history and will be remembered as one of the greatest results ever produced. For Bayern, history is on their side. The ‘Illiad’ mentions that the Greek built a large wooden horse to gain entry into the mighty city of Troy. The warriors hidden in the horse crept out and destroyed the city overnight. Against Barcelona, Javi Martinez and Schweinsteiger were the two of the warriors in Bayern’s wooden horse.