Real Madrid is already in Miami, where it will play its first match of the Club World Cup on Wednesday. There is a lot of excitement, not only to find out Xabi Alonso’s new starting eleven, but also to see how the players line up on the pitch and what style of play the new coach is trying to implement, given that he has had very little time to prepare for the match.
Xabi Alonso’s new Real Madrid
There will not be many changes for Xabi Alonso’s debut, with only two new players arriving who will start, Huijsen and Alexander-Arnold. The rest of the players will be familiar faces from last season, so there is a lot of excitement to see what style of play Xabi Alonso intends to implement and how demanding he will be on his players, especially the big names. The Real Madrid coach will certainly ask for more commitment from them, and now the question is how they will respond on the pitch.
Xabi Alonso’s doubts
In principle, the coach has three important doubts ahead of Wednesday’s game. The first of these concerns the left-back position. After the failed negotiations for Álvaro Carreras, Fran García is the only player available in that position in the first team, which gives him the advantage to fill the spot, but Xabi Alonso has brought in Diego Aguado, who made his debut with Ancelotti as a center back and can play at full-back, and he has also brought in Youssef. It is not out of the question that he will opt for one of these two options, knowing the level of the Manchego player and that he does not seem to be in his plans for next season.
The second question mark for Xabi Alonso is in midfield, with Ceballos or Güler. Although the Andalusian could be the most logical choice, as the team lacks a player who can help bring the ball out from the back, the Tolosa-born coach could opt for Arda Güler for this position. The Turkish player played his last minutes with Ancelotti in these more defensive positions, and his impact was significant. The type of games invites him to be given the confidence he needs to finally explode as a Real Madrid player, and Xabi Alonso could give him this responsibility, while waiting for the club to decide on signings after the championship.
Vinicius or Rodrygo
In principle, it is to be expected that Xabi Alonso will opt for solidity in midfield and go for four players in the middle, so he will have to decide between the two Brazilians. In principle, there is no doubt that Vinicius is ahead, but Rodrygo has been training under the new coach since day one, while Vini has barely been with his teammates until he arrived in the United States. It would also send a warning to the number 7, a message urging him to work hard to earn a place in the starting eleven.
Vinicius has been one of the most criticized players of Real Madrid’s season so far. His lack of commitment to the team, his poor defensive play, and his excessive individualistic gestures have put him in the spotlight, and Xabi Alonso is well aware of this. For this reason, he could opt for Rodrygo to start in the Club World Cup debut.
Real Madrid lineup
Real Madrid make their debut on Wednesday at 3pm local time (9pm in Spain) against Al Hilal at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, a match that can be seen on Telecinco and DAZN. This is Xabi Alonso’s most likely starting eleven.
Goalkeeper
- Thibaut Courtois
Defenders
- Trent Alexander-Arnold
- Dean Huijsen
- Raúl Asencio
- Fran García
Midfielders
- ‘Fede’ Valverde
- Aurélien Tchouaméni
- Arda Guler
- Jude Bellingham
Forwards
- Vinicius
- Kylian Mbappé