One of the big unknowns of the new Real Madrid is how the players will line up on the pitch with the arrival of Xabi Alonso, a coach with his own ideas, but who has been trained by some of the greatest coaches of the 20th century, such as Ancelotti and Mourinho at Real Madrid, and Guardiola at Manchester City. The Tolosa-born coach has different styles up his sleeve and has players who can adapt to any of them. The good news is that we won’t have to wait much longer to see him in action.
The importance of new signings
Real Madrid’s upcoming signings will be key to Xabi Alonso’s new system. Dean Huijsen is the first to be confirmed, along with Alexander-Arnold, and Carreras will be next, alongside Nico Paz, as everything indicates that he will return to Real Madrid. Long-range wingers are one of the keys to the Tolosa-born coach’s system and could cause a revolution ahead of next season.
Xabi Alonso’s system
One of the options being considered for Real Madrid’s starting eleven has to do with the system that has brought him so much success at Bayer Leverkusen. It would involve playing with three center backs, and although it may seem like a defensive approach, it does not have to be. In this way, Alexander-Arnold and Carreras would be long-range wing-backs who would be freer from defensive responsibilities (which does not mean that they would not defend). These two wing-backs would support a midfield consisting of two pivots, Tchouameni and Valverde, giving Real Madrid a solid defensive block to stop opposing teams, while Bellingham would link up with the forwards. The attack would consist of Vinicius and Mbappé.
The other option is the 4-4-2, a classic system that would involve playing with an extra player in midfield, a playmaker that Real Madrid does not currently have, but which could be the position for Nico Paz, Arda Güler or a new signing that, in principle, would be made after the Club World Cup.
It should be noted that Xabi Alonso’s systems are fluid, he looks for mobility from his players, who know how to take advantage of the spaces that are created during football matches, so he will demand a lot of activity from his players.
Open to changing systems
Xabi Alonso is clear that team systems are conditioned by the type of players in the squad. Rigidity is not an option, and his goal is to implement a system that can deliver the best performance, both individually and collectively. “Today’s football demands flexibility. Of course, I have an idea, but that fixed image of the system can change and become more dynamic,” he said on the day of his presentation. What does seem clear is that Bellingham, who will be one of his key players, will play in midfield and not as a false nine, but if he influences the attack, he will be key to the future of Real Madrid.
The new era at Real Madrid has begun, the new era of Xabi Alonso is underway, and in just a few weeks, we will be able to see how this new Real Madrid performs and what the new coach’s game plan will be.