Xabi Alonso has denied he left Real Madrid in the summer because the club had signed Toni Kroos in his position.
Speculation was that the 32-year-old joined Bayern Munich after German international Kroos decided to move the other way to the Santiago Bernabeu, something Xabi denies was the case.
“People talk a lot. I wanted a fresh start in a new city and I felt that was best for my career,” asserted the former Liverpool player in an interview with TZ.
“It had nothing to do with the arrival of new players because I knew I had [Madrid boss] Ancelotti’s trust and was going to play an important role.
“There was nothing that could have upset me at Madrid. I wanted, and needed, something new.”
Xabi says he does not find it strange to be playing for old adversary Pep Guardiola, who he was up against many times in El Clasico, and told of how the Bavarians play a different style of football to that of Madrid.
“I don’t find it odd to playing for Pep as it is part of the game. He has his history with Barca, me with Madrid, and now we have one together in Munich. It’s not the first time something like this has happened.
“On the pitch the construction of the game is different. Here we try to build up more slowly, searching for the best position to put the ball in the area, whilst in Madrid the play was much more direct with great attacking potential.
“When Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale receive the ball they go directly for goal. Here we think more about our attacks,” revealed Xabi.
Finally, he was asked to compare Arjen Robben to Cristiano Ronaldo and invited to comment on the criticism this year of former teammate Iker Casillas.
“Comparisons are always difficult but from my point of view I thought Robben was the best player in the World Cup. In recent years his level has been amazing.
“As for Iker, he is a professional and has had to live with criticism before.
“It’s nothing new for him and he’ll remain an important player for Madrid and the national team.”
