In Focus - How Alonso and Lahm performed in their final game

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  • Bayern Munich bid farewell two absolute legends of the game in a 2-0 win over Freiburg on Saturday.

    The curtains came down on two outstanding careers as Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso played their last game in professional football.

    Between them, Lahm and Alonso have won every major trophy including the World Cup and European Championships with Germany and Spain respectively.

    Here, we analyse their last performance in professional football.

    BASIC STATS

    XABI ALONSO

    Assists – 1

    Long Balls – 12

    Pass accuracy – 92%

    Passes – 85

    Key passes – 5

    Touches – 95

    Tackles – 1

    Interceptions – 2

    PHILIPP LAHM

    Crosses – 7

    Long Balls – 4

    Pass accuracy – 92%

    Passes – 75

    Key passes – 7

    Touches – 95

    Tackles – 1

    Interceptions – 3

    EFFECTIVENESS

    ALONSO

    Alonso was his usual instrumental self in the heart of Bayern’s midfield. The Spaniard saw plenty of the ball as the Bundesliga champions bossed possession, retaining 67% of it. He had a hand in the opening goal as well claiming one of the more straightforward assists of his career.

    The former Liverpool midfielder showed off his vast array of passes one last time as he sprayed long balls all over the pitch, 12 in total with an impressive 10 of them finding their targets. He dictated play with aplomb as Bayern eased to their 25th win of the season.

    LAHM

    The skipper led the team out for the final time and was predictably a shining example on the pitch once more. He could’ve registered an assist as well but for a foul called against Robert Lewandowski. That chance was one of just seven he mustered from right-back.

    He found the Polish striker later on in the game as well with one of his seven crosses over the course of the encounter. He was denied an assist in the 67th minute by the offside flag. He was a constant threat down that right flank and his deliveries we top notch.


    KEY MOMENTS

    ALONSO

    4th min: Inside the first four minutes of the encounter, Alonso plays a simple short pass to Arjen Robben and the Dutchman does the rest, cutting in from the right and drilling in a shot into the bottom corner. 

    19th min: A pin-point delivery from the Spaniard’s corner-kick sees Thomas Muller meet it inside the box but the German can only head it over the bar.

    40th min: The ball is cleared from a Bayern corner but only as far as Alonso who strikes it on the half-volley but can’t keep it on target.

    LAHM

    7th min: Lahm bombs forward and whips in a beautiful cross for Lewandowski who buries it into the back of the net but is adjudged to have fouled Gulde in his attempt to head the ball. 

    63rd min: Another great cross from the skipper finds Lewandowski who comes close with a looping header but Schwolow is able to tip it over the bar for a corner.

    67th min: The German is denied an assist for a second time. He plays a pass to Muller who finds the bottom corner but the flag goes up against Lahm for offside.

    OUR VERDICT

    Both players gave a very good account of themselves and can hold their heads up high after those performances. The duo certainly left their mark on the game and fully deserved the standing ovations they went off to.

    They may have a combined age of 68 but there’s no question that they could still deliver the goods at the highest level. Fair play to them though for wanting to go out while they’re still at the top of their game.

    7/10

    YOUR VERDICT

    All statistics are compiled using whoscored.com

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