By Neel Shelat
So far as first tournaments go, Xabi Alonso couldn’t have requested for one thing a lot better than the FIFA Membership World Cup to begin off his teaching tenure at Actual Madrid. As ever, it was a match Los Blancos had been aiming to win, however the strain was not overwhelming. Additionally they received to face quite a lot of opposition within the form of groups from three totally different continents, together with some European giants. Whereas the style of their defeat to Paris Saint-Germain within the semi-final was fairly disappointing, their closing report of 4 wins, a draw and a loss appears completely high-quality on paper. Past the outcomes, this was an ideal platform for Alonso to check out some totally different techniques and assess his squad.
Tactical experimentation
Earlier than stepping into the totally different tactical concepts Actual Madrid tried out on the Membership World Cup, it’s value caveating every part by noting that Xabi Alonso is but to have a correct pre-season coaching camp to essentially form the workforce in a approach that he needs. He was appointed simply a few weeks forward of the match, so he needed to level out that “Every part has been sped up quite a bit, as a result of we now have little or no time to get to know one another”, on arriving in the US. In fact, throughout the match, they solely actually had time to relaxation and put together for the following opponent with video games each 4 or 5 days. So, the workforce that takes the sector towards Osasuna of their 2025/26 season opener may look fairly totally different, however Alonso and his employees can assess and give you key takeaways from the issues they tried out within the States.
Additionally it is essential to say that not all gamers had been accessible for choice going into the match. Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão had been nonetheless recovering from their long-term accidents, Eduardo Camavinga, Endrick and Ferland Mendy had problems with their very own and Kylian Mbappé was hospitalised with a abdomen virus. Additional adjustments of availability throughout the match performed their half in forcing Alonso’s hand to change issues up tactically.
Actual Madrid began the match off with a slightly subpar efficiency in a 1-1 draw towards Asian giants Al Hilal. They lined up in a 4-3-3 formation on paper however moved to extra of a 3-2-2-3 in possession, with new signing Trent Alexander-Arnold given the liberty to float round in additional central areas simply as he used to do at Liverpool. Though they improved within the second half after a little bit of an attacking rejig, Los Blancos lacked sharpness within the closing third general in addition to wanting shaky on the again.
These defensive points had been laid naked simply minutes into their subsequent match towards Pachuca with a crimson card for the denial of a transparent goal-scoring alternative. Fortunately for them, they managed to manage the sport with the ball and made their particular person superiority depend in a 3-1 win. A failure to get all three factors would have put Actual Madrid beneath severe strain going into their closing group recreation, however they nonetheless wanted to see out a draw no less than to make sure development to the knockouts. They managed to come back away with a convincing 3-0 win towards Salzburg, the place essentially the most attention-grabbing tactical side was Aurélien Tchouaméni’s hybrid position in defensive midfield that noticed him drop between the centre-backs each out and in of possession to shore up issues on the again.
This improved defensive solidity made the distinction of their first knockout recreation towards Juventus, by which Tchouaméni totally operated as a central defender in a again three. Actual Madrid managed to grind out a one-goal win by scoring from the second section of a set-piece and giving up little or no at their finish.
Los Blancos reverted to a again 4 for the quarter-final towards Borussia Dortmund, by which they received off to a quick begin with two objectives in 20 minutes. They had been properly in management for essentially the most half, posing an excellent menace in transition and looking out unbothered on the again. Nonetheless, they discovered themselves clinging on to a 3-2 win on the finish of a chaotic stoppage-time interval, by which Dean Huijsen was additionally despatched off. That second may properly have been the start of the top of their marketing campaign because the Spanish defender’s absence was actually felt within the semi-final, however extra on that later.
Rising stars and underwhelming performers
The adjustments within the squad availability offered some gamers with a golden alternative to make a constructive first impression on their new head coach. Gonzalo García undoubtedly was the largest winner as he began the match in Mbappé’s absence and by no means regarded again. He was Actual Madrid’s finest attacker with 4 objectives and an help, however maybe extra importantly, the flexibleness he confirmed as a striker who can each pose a menace in behind or drop to hyperlink up may make him fairly a helpful profile.
Elsewhere, Arda Güler loved an ideal match, albeit not within the position most might need anticipated. As a substitute of beginning within the assault, he starred in a free midfield position the place he did a superb job of serving to his facet get ahead by way of safe receptions and slick passing. Thibaut Courtois made some large saves as standard, and Huijsen regarded fairly assured for essentially the most half as properly.
Raúl Asencio actually had a match to overlook as he was persistently uncovered in a excessive line, received despatched off within the second match and kicked off the collapse towards PSG. Rodrygo didn’t begin a recreation after the opener and will properly be on his approach out if rumours are to be believed. Fellow Brazilian winger Vinícius Júnior was underwhelming for essentially the most half, although he did have a few standout moments.
Urgent issues
All issues thought of, it’s fairly protected to say that this match has strengthened the concept Actual Madrid have greater than sufficient high quality and Alonso has ample tactical concepts to place collectively a formidable assault. The true query, then, is how they’ll arrange with out the ball, particularly excessive up the pitch.
Los Blancos began the match in a 4-1-3-2 excessive press in a setup just like what their coach had generally used at Bayer Leverkusen. Nonetheless, the bottom of their defence was uncovered in duels and towards balls in behind, inflicting them to persistently swap issues up thereafter. Whereas they had been in a position to mitigate these points, a brand new drawback emerged up entrance within the semi-final with each Vinícius and Mbappé beginning. The duo’s lack of depth out of possession compelled Alonso to ask his midfielders to step up and help the press, however PSG skilfully manipulated this strategy and took benefit by drawing the midfielders out of place earlier than rapidly slicing by way of. In fact, it was freak particular person errors that led to Actual Madrid’s early concessions, however their lack of ability to trigger issues with their press gave them no actual likelihood of coming again.
As we now have beforehand written, out of possession points had been the largest reason for the disappointing finish to Carlo Ancelotti’s time at Actual Madrid. So, it will naturally be the largest problem for Alonso as he heads into the brand new season. The 4-1-3-2 system may simply find yourself working with higher personnel, however he may also need to proceed looking for new options. The pliability he confirmed at Leverkusen and has persistently spoken of since arriving in Madrid may show essential on this regard.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
You possibly can observe each Actual Madrid recreation within the 2025/26 season with FotMob – with deep stats, xG, and gamers rankings. Obtain the free app right here.