Xabi and Masch - do they both play well together?

This is something I've wondered about for a while.

Xabi's form dipped when Masch arrived in 2007 and this season Masch's form has dipped this year when Xabi has been back to his best. I can't remember too many games where I've thought both Xabi and Masch have played very well. I know it sounds foolish considering since Masch's arrival we've reached a Champions League final and are topping the table with both Masch and Xabi in the middle of the park more often than not.

I just don't think they work well as a pair but on the other hand if either is missing, it does show.

Solution? Well I don't think there is one, I think we need both of them in the side but I still don't think they play well as a pair.

Probably (hopefully) coincidence. Masch isn't in the form he was in last season, but he has had some pretty amazing games.

Xabi on the other hand has had a brilliant season so far, but as you say if either is missing it certainly does show.

Unfortunately we don't have a sufficient replacement for either player (Sissoko would have been okay for Masch I guess, but he's gone!!), and as a result we have no choice but to play them both.

the simple answer is ya they are made for each other, we have rarely seen them both 100 per cent fit playing together, god help us if xabi gets injured because it means we will see more of lucas and you will see a midfield partnership that doesnt work lucas and masch

I agree with the statement but I think they have taken time to learn to become a good pair in the middle of the park and have become a good pair. When Javi first game they really didn't work well with each but they have learned to play with each other. 

I still believe when on form the Alonso/Momo pair are unstoppable and they really worked well together. I remember that run of wins during the 2006 season it was their play that really made that run great.

Yes. Simple. Add solidity, consistency, and quality. The prob is if one of them is unavailable (Lucas proved we don't have someone who can just plug a hole) or if we become too reliant on that formation to the detriment of being able to adapt.

I don't think they actually play off one another as you might expect them to. Masch more often than not, breaks up the oposition play , wins the ball and looks wide for distribution. Xabi is usually too close or has dropped behind Masch to cover. When Xabi gets on the ball, it's usually from the back four or wide positions and he's looking to thread balls  through to the strikers or forward moving wide players.( overlaping defenders or wingers) Therefore. Xabi and Masch, don't often 'play together' but more often, around eachother. I supose that's the difference beween  attacking mid and defensive mid. It's still efective and as you said, we suffer when one or the other is missing.

Great point Gerns!!!you saw what happened yesterday when Xabi was missing and LUCAS come in..no creativity at all.

hell no they form one of the best CM pairing in the whole world.its just that masch hasnt been able to get a consistent run of games this season because of some niggles here & there.infact i believe they have become more potent now with masch adding the attacking dimension to his game(the first goal against newcastle) so now both of them are capable of attacking as well as defending & can perform the roles as & when called into action.last season also we played our best football when we deployed 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 and those two formed the spine of the midfield.its just that xabi has played out of the world this season & masch hasnt been able to get his game to his usual standards(probably because of injuries) but you cant say he has done bad.lets just hope the monster doesnt miss any more matches & we get to see the best midfield pairing take the premier league by storm

I think I feel 100 times more confident when I see this:

                         Masch  Alonso
                             Gerrard

When I see Lucas... 

As you said, if one of them is missing, it shows. We are better with both, so yes, they can play well together.

Yes, they can without any doubt 'cos alonso is v.good in passing, long ball, shot, creative, vision, ecc & masch. the monster is a defencesive midfielder. They do different jobs for our lfc shirt.

Think they can play together but would would be missing that cutting edge if Gerrard wasn't there too. If we had real quality wingers either side then the Xabi/Masch partnership would be even better.

Leave Lucas alone

I never really thought they couldnt play well together, must mean they can then if I never gave it a second notice

When we play Xabi and Javier we only seem to have one up front!

I think they do, they seem to enjoy playing together and always are celebrating together on the pitch which certainly helps their performances and chemistry.

Masch seems to do the dirty work, Xabi finishes off his work. It is one of the theoretically brilliant tactics from Rafa that has actually worked when applied. Sure, when one or both are having a bad game then it doesnt show how good the partnership is but it does work. In defence they work together and in attack, Stevie, Xabi and Javier seem to play in a straight line down the middle which gives us everything you want in midfield.

Worth the question but i think it works.

Perhaps when Xabi is playing, we keep the ball more, and don't need Masch to shine quite so much.

The fact is, most midfield partnerships usually rely on one shining more than the other - if you're dominating going forward then the more attack minded one will shine, whereas if you're under the cosh the defensive one will catch the eye. Similarly, it's difficult for both wingers to have great games as if one is having a stormer, he'll keep getting the ball and the other one will have a quieter day.
 
This season's success has mostly been built on Xabi's passing, Masch's doggedness and Gerrard playing off the striker.

At least I feel safe when Xabi instead of Lucas is playing.

There's nothing Masch can do to shine as he's down there defending when Xabi occasionally attacks.

They both may not play extremely well together but I think they contribute a some small decent stuffs together.

We need to put Anderson thight on Alonso when you guys come to OT, Alonso pulls all the strings..... keep him quiet and we have a chance to beat you.

I'd be wary of that, 5 guys have tried that and have been sent off for really trying to 'take him out of the game'. Then again, its Old Trafford so just bring a cro-bar onto the field and you'll be right.