Schalke 04 vs Bayern Munich preview - Alonso set for Bayern debut

Posted Friday, August 29, 2014 by PA

Xabi Alonso could make his Bundesliga debut on Saturday evening, just 24 hours after signing for Bayern Munich.

The 32-year-old was back in Spain on Friday, bidding farewell to his former Real Madrid team-mates before returning to Germany on Saturday having passed a medical and agreed to join the German champions.

He will not fly directly to Munich, though, but rather to Dusseldorf, from where he will link up with his new team-mates for their game at Schalke.

Medhi Benatia, who joined Bayern on Wednesday, is also going to jet straight to Westphalia after collecting his belongings from Rome.

"Both will be with us, they are going to fly to Dusseldorf," said coach Pep Guardiola at a pre-match press conference.

"Maybe they will play, I'm not sure. They're both fit, they passed their medicals after all."

Alonso may be thrust straight into the action due to a lack of other options in midfield.

With Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thiago and Javi Martinez all sidelined, Guardiola asked his club to do him the favour of signing the 32-year-old from the Champions League holders.

"We need a player of his quality, with his vision and with his pace," said the Catalan.

"He can play well going forwards. I know he is 32, but when you want to play with wide attacking players, then you need intelligent players in this position.

"The club have done a very good job and we've got two very good players, and now I'll help them integrate as quickly as possible."

Hosts Schalke will be without the injured Kevin-Prince Boateng once again, and the Royal Blues' coach Jens Keller has slammed reports the midfielder is being left out for any reason other than injury.

"It's not like he's wound us up so we just decided to sign him off ill," said Keller, who is feeling the pressure after a defeat to Hannover last weekend.

"If such an experienced player as Kevin tells us that he can play, then he will play. And if he had said he was fit, then he would be playing against Bayern.

"Kevin's not happy with his own performances either, but we're not slaughtering anybody. Kevin was important for us last season and he is going to remain important for us in future."