Real Sociedad have only won two Premiera Liga titles – both of which came during Periko Alonso’s prime. He was a deep-lying midfielder; a distribution master. As a growing force in the Spanish game it was only a matter of time until the giants stepped in to prise him away from the Basque area and offer him a playing chance that his career would gracefully accept – the prospect of 90,000 Catalans screaming your name in the Coliseum-like Nou Camp.
His son, Xabi, though, has an entirely different view about where his loyalties lie. Costing Los Blancos a staggering £30 million; he was the key piece to an intricate puzzle that Florentino Perez was making. A puzzle that had only been made over a decade ago – when the Galacticos were in power.
Guardiola and his Guardians
Barcelona has had an incredible dominance over the modern game. With an abundance of talent intertwined with experience and the correct balance of youth, they have managed to create a fabric for what is the epitome of the perfect club squad.
Their reign as the world’s elite has been due to the massive role the club legend, Pep Guardiola, has played. In his first season, his first move was ridding the squad of the likes of Ronaldinho, Deco and Thuram – which included former Balon d’Or winner and World Cup winners. Even with this loss of invaluable experience, the Catalans went on to win the Treble. All in Pep’s first season. Child’s play.
The following season was even more of a success than the last – despite them only winning the league. The artistry of their football was alluring. It was exquisite, it was genius, it was unbelievable. Their midfield ran with flowing dexterity and complete competence. The authority they inflicted over opposition was torturous even to the eye of a neutral. There was a telepathic understanding; they could’ve played blindfolded.
This development of inventiveness and eloquence on the pitch grew as they embarked on another campaign under the guidance of their masterful tactician. With a strengthening force in the shape of José Mourinho’s Real Madrid side, Barça only managed to add the Champions League and La Liga to their well-stocked trophy cabinet. What a tragedy.
They were feared world-wide. Players went into games against the Catalans with a mind-set that was ready to accept defeat; a mentality that would have to have the fortitude of coping with chasing the ball for nearly 70 per cent of their time on the field. The opposition saw the players as diminutive demons. However, this season, they haven’t managed to emulate that success. That is down to the resurgence of Los Blancos; and the influence of one player – Xabier Alonso Olano.
The Puppeteer
Alonso’s never really had an idol, and so he drew his footballing regality from his father. Periko Alonso’s position and the role he played on the field was directly transferred into his youngest son. And the world couldn’t thank him more.
The 30 year old Spaniard’s philosophy has always remained the same. He has always played the same position. With this, a huge level of maturity was built.
Even as a child, Alonso concentrated on perfecting his passing, rather than focus on glory-hunting. That’s what has made him the player he is today: his willingness to make chances, as opposed to converting them.
At eighteen, he was sent to Eibar on loan – being forced to see his team struggle at the bottom of the Spanish top-flight. Sociedad being in dire straits prompted the introduction of the Welshman, John Toshack. It was he who decided to recall Alonso from his loan-spell and make him club captain. The club eventually finished a respectable fourteenth that season. Masterstroke.
This was the push Xabi needed to realise his potential. Guillem Balague described Alonso as the sort of leader ‘that did not need an exaggerated outburst of anger to be heard or respected’. He lead by example – and that’s all Sociedad needed. Two seasons after being threatened to the doldrums of second-tier football, they finished in an incredible second place, mustering an unprecidented points tally and qualifying for the Chamions League. On a personal level, he recieved the best Spanish player award. Impressed? I thought as much.