Xabi Alonso has arrived at Real Madrid with very clear ideas, but he is lacking time to implement them due to the pressure of the Club World Cup schedule. The first test against Al Hilal was a fiasco and more of the same was seen, but against Pachuca, we began to see what the coach wants to play and what he demands from the team. He was unable to demonstrate this 100% as they were down to ten men from the 7th minute, but the changes from the Ancelotti era are a reality.
High pressure
Real Madrid is undergoing a reinvention following the departure of Ancelotti and the arrival of Xabi Alonso with new ideas. One of the biggest differences between the two is that the Italian applied a low-block defense, while the new coach is more committed to a high line, similar to Hansi Flick at Barcelona. The players are still getting used to this high defensive line, hence Asencio’s mistake that led to his sending off.
The players must break with several years of being accustomed to a low block where they positioned themselves very close to their own area waiting for the opponent. This was a tactic widely used by Carlo Ancelotti last season, leaving the team looking poor with a system that was not beneficial and did not work in their favor.
Ball distribution
Ball distribution is something that Xabi Alonso has emphasized a lot since his arrival. Hence the importance of players such as Dean Huijsen and Trent in the defensive line. In the first game, it was difficult to see this, which fueled rumors about the need for a creative midfielder. However, Arda Güler’s inclusion in the starting lineup against Pachuca brought about a change in this regard. Ball movement is starting to become and will continue to be a strong point in this new era, where we have already seen more ball movement than in the Ancelotti era.
Arda and Brahim take center stage
Xabi Alonso’s confidence in Arda Güler and Brahim is paying off. The increased prominence of both players is having a positive impact on the team. In particular, the Turkish player is proving key in the ball movement we mentioned earlier, linking up well with Huijsen. The Real Madrid player is showing that he can be the Kroos or Modric that the team so badly needs. As for Brahim, he continues to play in the same role he has always played, but he is making a difference when he comes on to the pitch. Xabi Alonso wants him to be important in the team and the player wants to prove his worth before the arrival of Mastantuono.
A more interventionist coach
We have already seen in the two games Real Madrid have played that Xabi Alonso is a busy man on the sidelines, constantly making adjustments, giving clear instructions to his players and playing a key role with his movements from the bench. This is something that Carlo Ancelotti lacked, as he did not take risks with changes that could have been key to the team’s performance. The new coach shows at all times that he is very involved in the game, and during water breaks, he can be seen giving specific instructions to each and every one of his players.
Greater presence of youth players
From the outset, it was clear that Xabi Alonso wanted to keep the youth academy in mind on a daily basis, and he does not hesitate to give opportunities, as he has demonstrated with Gonzalo García, who has already made two starts in the absence of Kylian Mbappé, responding perfectly with a goal in the first game and directly participating in two of the goals scored against Pachuca.