Pirlo vs Guardiola vs Alonso

Rank in order and give reasons.

The Italians will go with Pirlo even though they probably haven't seen Pepper play. I haven't either so I don't have a right to pick . This one will go to the older folks!

Pirlo
Xabi
Guardiola

Pirlo, Guardiola and then Xabi.

All of them have the exact same weakenesses, very slow and cant really tackle . Alonso and Guardiola at least win aerial balls, but its not the sort of attribute which puts either over the top.

The order I have it is the order of their abilities to play consistently accurate passes with as little turnovers of possession as possible. I think Pirlo and Guardiola dont feel the need to play hollywood balls as much as Alonso, they are more patient and pick their spots better. Just that bit smarter players.

I think Pirlo is a fair bit above the other two and Guardiola only slightly better than Alonso.

I have to admit the I dont like the term, deep lying playmaker. It seems to me, the only guys who get this tag our those who play deep and dont (in reality cant) move up the pitch to influence and thus play a ton (or more than usual centermids) of long balls. Its like giving a special name to which is in fact, quite a limited role.

I mean, people would even call Charlie Adam a DLP like that means something special, when in fact he is utterly average.

Adam > Guardiola

Go sell a guitar lol

The Franchise wrote:Go sell a guitar lol

Not a chance. lol

I'd go with Franchise as well

Pirlo then Guardiola and then xabi

There isn't much difference in pep n xabi, but Guardiola was a better ball winner and held the midfield better than Xabi can.

Adams is a deep lying thug ffs.

In terms of overall ability I would rank Pirlo it the same as Dani as well.

I will say this, I feel Guardiolas ground passes were the best out of all theirs tbh. He moved the ball much quicker and his short passes were slightly more accurate than both of theirs. Pirlos the best at long balls. Pirlo's positioning is the best. In terms of vision I would say it is Pirlo, then Pep not far behind then Alonso. Overall influence, is easily Pirlo.

Its criminal how underrated Xabi is here.

typical, a MAdrid player isnt #1 he is underated. Pilro is simply better than him at pretty much everything. Pep is arguable. Noone is underrating anything ffs.

jibers wrote: typical, a MAdrid player isnt #1 he is underated. Pilro is simply better than him at pretty much everything. Pep is arguable. Noone is underrating anything ffs.

You spelt Pirlo and Madrid wrong
I feel as if Xabi is better midfielder than Guardiola tho.

Xabi's defensive skills are better than Pirlo's.

Kizu wrote:Xabi's defensive skills are better than Pirlo's.

ofr course they are. Wasn't he the most dribbles player in la liga last season? Alonso always commits fouls when he tackles. He isnty better t Pirlo. pirlo is better at positioning himself.

Nameless wrote:
I feel as if Xabi is better midfielder than Guardiola tho.

Funny you should mention that, because Guardiola's career at the top level ended when you was 3 years old

Know a bit about Guardiola , seem some relatively short compilations but no full matches , heard some stories as well and I'd put him about on the same level as Xabi as of now.

Pirlo is slightly better than both though it tends to get exaggerated.

I actually think Xabi has superior positioning and tackling to Pirlo to be honest, the real problem with Xabi is he isn't laterally quick enough so the timing of his tackles are sometimes off.He's also far more exposed than Pirlo in our setup.

The knock on Xabi will always be that his ability to retain the ball under pressure is below the norm for these elite level playmakers but the fact that he often masquerades as a DM and the deepest player of the midfield sometimes negates that.

Stats may not demonstrate it, but I think he's the biggest goal threat of any of these from open play at least.

Guardiola for me is the most complete on the list, Pirlo the most influential, Xabi the sexiest.

I disagree with the Hollywood balls thing Dani, Pirlo does it more from what I've seen, people almsost make it seem like if Xabi is Stevie sometimes, Xabi develops plays with the best of them but the fact is that we need to advance the ball quickly with Ronaldo and Di Maria running the flanks hard the long ball is often th best option.

Unfair to knock his decision making when it's exactly what his coach demands of him, as you saw both him and Ramos can do it both ways if they play in the right system.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:

Nameless wrote:
I feel as if Xabi is better midfielder than Guardiola tho.

Funny you should mention that, because Guardiola's career at the top level ended when you was 3 years old

so in other words, Im not titled to my opinion?.. Dicator

Nameless wrote:

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:

Nameless wrote:
I feel as if Xabi is better midfielder than Guardiola tho.

Funny you should mention that, because Guardiola's career at the top level ended when you was 3 years old

so in other words, Im not titled to my opinion?.. Dicator

Please stop talking please... Xabi is not underrated. Just because he is isn't better than top midfielders, doesn't mean he is underrated...

I doubt many of you watched Pep to any certain degree

IMO Xabi is clearly better than Pep is, hell Biscuits has already surpassed Pep in terms of ability and talent.

Pirlo for me as it stands is a clear leader followed by Xabi and then Pep some way behind.

Putting it as nicely as possible, some you Madrid fans are the strangest bunch.

Guardiola is preffered to Alonso...oh, Alonso, so underrrated here.

Get a grip people, its just the way it is.

Le Sam, dont agree about the passing. He hits ball for no reason whatsovever at times, dont see Pirlo ever doing that. I agree he is better defensively than Pirlo, at least he is physical and good in the air. But at this point, its not going to take him over the top.

Oh yeah and, Busquets surpassing Guardiola isnt a knock on Guardiola (if he has surpassed him, thats an open question).

The same people who would say that, generally would say he is better than Alonso also.

I havent seen much of Guardiola,very little infact. He was never one of my favourites so never cared that much.

But among Pirlo & Xabi its a no contest. Xabi is an above average to good player while Pirlo is an Excellent & World Class player so its a no contest & a complete knock out