Xabi Alonso has arrived at Real Madrid with a bang and with very clear ideas. The Spanish coach’s analyst was present at Real Madrid’s last few games, closely examining the team’s performance and how their decision-making in different phases of the game has led him to make different decisions regarding the squad and what he wants to achieve in his first season at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Xabi Alonso has decided that he will not play with a three-man defense at Real Madrid. He will play with a classic 4-3-3 formation, as he believes it suits the squad better, according to MARCA. In his last seasons with the German side, he has been seen playing with a 3-4-3 formation that easily transforms into a 5-2-3 or a 4-4-2. However, his idea for Real Madrid is different.
Xabi Alonso’s plan for Real Madrid
Based on what his analyst has seen in Real Madrid’s matches and with the current squad, Xabi Alonso has abandoned the idea of playing with a three-man defense. Although a center back has arrived in the form of Dean Huijsen, the coach is not convinced about playing with three men in this position, especially in the short term. The schedule is tight and with no time to implement major changes or internalize new mechanisms or ways of playing, Real Madrid must face the Club World Cup.
A World Cup that they face with a depleted defense since, in the case of the center backs, the only ones who are 100% fit today are the aforementioned signing, now focused on the Spanish national team, and Asencio. Eder Militao is nearing the end of his recovery, but after spending the entire season off the pitch, his return to the team will be gradual. Something similar is happening with Rüdiger, who is rushing his recovery but is not expected to be fit until the second or third game of the tournament. On the other hand, Alaba is out of the tournament.
What Xabi Alonso is clear about in this regard, and what will be the focus from Monday when the team starts training again, is that defensive sacrifice will be the starting point for everything. He wants the team’s defensive work to be collective, starting with the three attackers.
Tchouaméni’s role with Xabi Alonso
MARCA’s report on this change from the Spanish coach’s usual system at Bayer Leverkusen to a 4-3-3 makes it clear that, although the vicissitudes of the game will force decisions to be made, Xabi Alonso wants Tchouameni in midfield. He will not play as a center back again unless there are circumstances beyond his control.
This season, Carlo Ancelotti has been forced to make do with what he has in defense. The Italian has been reluctant to give opportunities to young players and was slow to give Asencio a leading role, which ultimately proved crucial. Instead, he preferred to play Tchouaméni as an improvised center back for a good part of the season. The Frenchman looked uncomfortable in this position and was heavily criticized by the fans. Numerous injuries at the end of the season saw the player return to the heart of the defense.
It seems he will not be returning to this position. Xabi Alonso will not use Aurélien Tchouaméni in central defense again; he wants him in midfield and has already made this clear to the player since his arrival.