There is a lot of interest in finding out who will be in Xabi Alonso‘s first starting eleven in La Liga, and although Real Madrid will play a friendly match beforehand that may give us some clues, it remains a mystery which players will start this new project at the Bernabéu.
Real Madrid prepares for the start of La Liga
Xabi Alonso’s new Real Madrid has little time to prepare for the start of La Liga, with just 15 days since training began last Monday, and the big question is what the Tolosa-born coach’s first eleven will be for his new project. Although some players seem certain to be in the starting eleven, there are serious doubts about some members of the squad, and above all, who will replace Bellingham.
Real Madrid’s possible starting eleven in La Liga
There seems to be no doubt about who will be the goalkeeper this season. Courtois remains undisputed, for many he is still the best goalkeeper in the world and a guarantee between the posts. Real Madrid starts a new season knowing that it has one of the best protecting the three sticks.
In defense, there are some doubts. It makes sense that Alexander-Arnold will start, as Carvajal, although he played his first minutes in the last Club World Cup match, still needs to regain his form. Huijsen and Rudiger will be the center backs, barring any surprises, and Carreras should be the left back, although Fran García was one of the best players in the World Cup and the coach was delighted with him.
In midfield, Tchouaméni, Fede Valverde, and Arda Güler are sure to start, or at least that is what is expected for this new season. Vinicius and Mbappé also seem certain to start up front. That leaves one player to complete the starting eleven.
Who will replace Bellingham?
This is one of the big questions that remains to be answered, and Xabi Alonso‘s system will be decisive. When the Englishman recovers from his shoulder operation, he will be a sure starter, and as the Basque coach said on the day of his presentation, he sees the Englishman as a central midfielder. If the coach opts for a 5-3-2, Tchouaméni would slot in between the two center backs to free up the fullbacks/wingbacks, making Ceballos the most obvious choice. If he decides on a 4-4-2, Brahim could be the replacement, giving the team a more defensive profile.
The least likely, although still possible, is that he will opt for a 4-3-3, although given the results of the two games in which he used this system in the World Cup, it seems unlikely. This system also opens up a range of possibilities:
- Gonzalo: he was his big bet in the Club World Cup and the results of fielding the youth player could not have been better. Once his future at the club has been confirmed, everything points to him playing a key role under Xabi Alonso.
- Mastantuono: although there is a lot of confidence in the Argentine winger, he has only been with his new teammates for a few days, and although he is an option and could get some playing time in the match, it seems unlikely that he will start.
- Rodrygo: everything suggests that he is not in Xabi Alonso’s plans, but he should not be ruled out, because his quality is beyond doubt, and being a home game, he could be the big surprise.
Gonzalo in the starting line-up?
It is taken for granted that Vinicius and Mbappé will be regulars up front if two strikers are played, but there is a lot of excitement to see if Gonzalo will be able to bench one of the superstars. In the World Cup, Mbappé’s gastroenteritis was used as an excuse to bench the Frenchman even when he was available, and against PSG, when it looked like the youth player would be sitting on the bench, the system was changed to put him in the starting eleven alongside the Frenchman and the Brazilian. Sport must come first, but it seems unlikely that Xabi Alonso will cause the first crisis of the season in the first game, because there is no doubt that if he leaves either of the two out, there will be trouble at the Bernabéu.
There are just over ten days to go before the ball starts rolling at the Santiago Bernabéu, and the big question is who will be the eleven chosen by Xabi Alonso, because, although it seems clear at first glance, the Basque coach could surprise us with his new project.