Footballer Xabi Alonso prefers jazz over rock & roll

Former Liverpool and Spain footballer Xabi Alonso, who made a surprise deadline switch from Real Madrid to German champions Bayern Munich in August, has likened the playing styles of his former and new clubs to styles of music.

"Bayern were the only club I really wanted to join,” Alonso said. "The construction of the play is very different. At Real Madrid everything is quicker, more direct. Bayern are more like jazz, whereas Real Madrid are like rock n roll.”

Alonso has flourished playing his jazz football. He recently set a  Bundesliga record when he made 175 complete passes in a 2-0 win at FC Koln.

If like Xabi, you’d like to be a part of Munich’s jazz culture here are a few suggestions from inyourpocket.com

• Bayerischer Hof Night Club - A favourite hangout of the Munich upper crust, this club definitely caters to the elite with its stylish decor, outstanding service and quality, which brings out the feeling of easy going elegance in its A-list clientele.
• Jam Musik Cafe - This bar has a dual nature, catering to both music and sports enthusiasts, like its Olympic medallist owner. The small menu includes some vegetarian and pasta items and a few meat dishes.
• Jazz Cantina - The sombreros hanging from the ceiling and the golden orange tone of the walls give this Mexican/jazz bar a warm interior. It has free monthly jazz concerts and a Tex-Mex menu.
• Kalango’s Boteco Brazil - This South American bar doesn’t pretend to much, its lively atmosphere, Brazilian food and jazz really give this joint a pulse.
• Mister B.’s - This bare-bones jazz and cocktail bar is small and intimate, and offers affordable live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 
• Unterfahrt - Live jazz concerts are held here daily in a cosy brick cellar, whose entrance is lit up with photographs of all the jazz greats that have visited Germany. 
• Vogler - This candle-lit cultural living room with mismatched chandeliers and naked lightbulbs has nightly live concerts (at 21:00, Sun 20:00), specialising in jazz, Latin, soul, big band, boogie and classic rock.
• Kalango’s Boteco Brazil - This South American bar doesn’t pretend to much, its lively atmosphere, Brazilian food and jazz really give this joint a pulse.