Xabi Alonso took up his position as coach of Real Madrid on Monday. He arrives at Real Madrid full of energy and eager to change the way the team plays in order to reignite the fans, who have not enjoyed watching their team in recent months. His new project will kick off on June 9 with the first training session led by the Spanish coach and his coaching staff in Valdebebas.
Building a team
Since his presentation, Xabi Alonso has made it clear that he wants to talk to all his players individually and get the most out of their individual potential in order to build a team. The word “team” was one of the most used by the coach, who is clear about his objective and the work he wants to do with the team. “The challenge now is to build a team, get the best out of these players and ensure that we are all pulling in the same direction. Because if we do that, we will have a force that is very… I’m not going to say unstoppable… but very powerful.“
He conveyed that idea in his first press conference as Real Madrid coach after his official presentation. Now, a few days later, in his first interview, Xabi Alonso has emphasized that idea. ”I come here wanting to enjoy the same things we have enjoyed, and I am sure that will be the case because the squad is top-notch. I’m going to try to build a team together, something we can be proud of and that generates excitement. I want people to get excited about the team and like what they see, and then we’ll celebrate and win titles.”
The system Xabi Alonso will use
Over the last few weeks, there has been talk about whether Xabi Alonso will apply what he used at Bayer Leverkusen. He was asked about this at his presentation. “I have an idea of how I want to play, a team that conveys emotion, energy, and connects with the fans. The system may change.” He added that “the most important thing is to have good players, the rest is my problem. The challenge is to get the most out of everyone and for us all to pull together.”
Depending on the phase of the game, during his time in Germany he has been seen playing with a 3-4-3 formation that easily transforms into a 5-2-3 or a 4-4-2, with the wingers playing an important role in the attacking play depending on their position.
In that regard, he also spoke about whether he will opt for high pressure or a low block: “I like that we know how to choose the right moments. With an idea of how to do it, with organization, with control with and without the ball. You have to know how to handle different contexts. The idea is to play an ambitious, proactive game, taking the initiative, and we have the players to do it.”
Xabi’s possible Real Madrid starting eleven
In addition to the current squad, from which Modric, Lucas Vázquez and Vallejo will leave, for the moment, as further moves cannot be ruled out, we must add the signing of Dean Huijsen and those that already seem more than certain, Alexander-Arnold and Álvaro Carreras. In addition, Nico Paz is expected to return and another midfielder such as Angelo Stiller cannot be ruled out.
As we said, Xabi Alonos could stick with his Bayer Leverkusen idea and go for a three-man defense and two long-range wing-backs to seek greater width on the flanks. If the Spanish coach opts for a 3-4-1-2, the possible starting eleven could be Courtois in goal; a back three of Huijsen, Asencio/Rüdiger, and Militao; in midfield a double pivot formed by Tchouméni and Valvderde, while the wing-backs would be Álvaro Carreras on the left and Arnold or Dani Carvajal on the right, Bellingham as an attacking midfielder and up front Vinicius and Mbappé.
If any of the pending signings for midfield are completed, such as Stiller, Xabi Alonso could also opt for a 4-4-2 with the following starting eleven: Courtois; Arnold, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Carreras; Tchouaméni, Valverde, Stiller, Bellingham; Mbappé and Vinicius.