Thiago Alcantara completes a staggering 145 passes for Bayern Munich
Thiago Alcantara
Thiago Alcantara produced a stunning display in the centre of Bayern Munich’s midfield as the Bavarians opened a 13-point cushion at the top of the Bundesliga table, following a 5-0 victory over lowly Eintracht Frankfurt.
Eyebrows were raised when Pep Guardiola declared that the Spanish youngster was the only player that he wanted to sign when he arrived at the Allianz Arena in the summer, but the £21 million fee it took to prise him away from Barcelona, after Manchester United wanted to sign him, is starting to look like an excellent piece of business for The Germans.
Bayern have all but wrapped up the title after last night’s result, dropping a mere four points throughout the campaign, with draws against second placed Bayern Leverkusen and Freiburg. However, while Guardiola’s philosophy is undoubtedly focused around the collective, Thiago’s individual performance was outstanding and he has now won every Bundesliga game in which he has appeared.
Munich’s passing comparison
Paired with captain Phillipp Lahm in central midfield, the Italian born Thiago completed a huge 145 passes throughout the game, failing to complete just 10, giving him a 94% passing accuracy.
Only Mario Gotze’s 96% was better across the German midfield, although it was the youngster that won Squawka’s best possession accolade for the match. The 22 year-old completed over double the amount of passes each of his Bayern team mates managed, except for midfield partner Lahm, who laid claim to 101.
During the vital period of the match between the hour mark and 75 minutes, when Bayern’s domination began to tell and goals from Arjen Robben and Dante ended the game as a contest, Thiago delivered 27/27 of his passes.
Thiago’s action areas
However, overall, he played just one key pass despite his dominance in possession. But the former Flamengo man is not purely pivotal in possession, he has an abundance of tricks in his locker and also completed five take-ons, all in the opponent’s, half that left him surging towards Frankfurt’s defensive back line, which comes as no surprise given his accumulated total of 80% throughout the campaign.
Guardiola initially pin pointed the strengths in Thiago’s game, recognising that he possessed the abilities that would be suited to his preferred system at Bayern. With four interceptions, three of which were in the opponent’s half, highlights the youngster’s ability and willingness to press high in Guardiola’s physically demanding system, that requires his players to win the ball back high up the pitch.
Thiago is given a licence to roam alongside Lahm, who Guardiola has opted to move out of defence this season, and covered a great deal of ground. Lahm’s positional ability is second to none, allowing his team mate to push higher up the pitch and drift into the wide areas when necessary.
As the game wore on Thiago actually dropped deeper, with 20.63% of his personal action coming within the central area of his own half, as he could sit back and pass the ball freely, making the tiring Frankfurt midfield chase shadows and sap their energy levels.
Thiago’s chance creation for the entire campaign stands at 11 with one goal scored, which could be perceived as a cause for concern, given his reputation as an attacking talent. Others within the side carry the goal scoring burden at present, but Thiago is capable of adding to his game. Meanwhile, Guardiola’s use of the 22 year-old suggests that is is satisfied to keen to mould the youngster so he is able to fulfil a number of roles for the side, which will only serve to improve him as a player and give Bayern yet another option within their world class contingent.