Real Madrid seems to be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, and Xabi Alonso’s requests are beginning to show results. The coach once again fielded a lineup similar to that of the first match, giving Arda Güler a prominent role and leaving Rodrygo on the bench. After a first game in which the performance left a lot to be desired, there were some players who stood out and who, after the second game, have now established themselves as key players, such as Dean Huijsen and Gonzalo García.
Dean Huijsen, a good choice for the defense
Injuries made it clear to Real Madrid that they had to go to the market and sign a reinforcement for the center of the defense. The man chosen was Dean Huijsen, who was shining with Bournemouth in the Premier League, as well as in his first appearances for Spain. It was not a cheap signing for a defender, with the Whites paying €58 million, but everything suggests that the investment is more than justified after what we have seen from the player in his first two games in the white shirt.
Against Al Hilal, Huijsen brought order and vision to the game. The young center back is beginning to show the qualities that led to his signing, and during the match he was able to find space between the lines with tense passes and dribbling. He was solid in defense, which is great news after a season that has been leaky at times.
In Sunday’s game against Pachuca, he confirmed his status as the best player on the team. Spectacular in the tackle, outstanding in bringing the ball out of defense, and once again finding the perfect space for that through ball that breaks lines. He is a complete defender with an impressive personality. “Huijsen puts on a show every game. What a player,” Maldini commented on social media about the young center back.
Gonzalo could be the number 9
Another of Xabi Alonso’s bets for these two games, who is proving that he has a place in the first team, is Gonzalo García. The coach has put his faith in him, and it looks like the right decision given the youngster’s great performances in the two games he has played for the team so far. The coach has made a clear commitment to the youth team striker, and he has responded by making it clear that there is no need to invest in a number 9 during the transfer window.
His good form is one of the best pieces of news for Real Madrid. In the first game against Al Hilal, he was the goalscorer and had several chances to increase his tally, putting in a good performance that he consolidated in last night’s game. Against Pachuca, he didn’t score, but he was involved in both goals: for the first, he held the ball up with his back to goal to break the defense, and for the second, he set up Güler.
His performances are proving that he is more than just a number nine and that he has the level to be in the first team, which was looking for a player like Joselu and could now have found him. Indeed, the former Real Madrid striker had this to say about his potential replacement: “I loved Gonzalo García today. His play in Arda Güler’s goal was that of a pure number nine. He is going to give a lot to Real Madrid.”