Xabi Alonso's arrival at Real Madrid marks the beginning of a new era, and his first major test comes in the form of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. While the tournament presents an immediate opportunity to compete for a title, it also poses a significant challenge: integrating his tactical vision while managing a squad brimming with both established stars and new signings. One of the key questions Alonso must address revolves around the optimal deployment of Real Madrid's star-studded attack.
The attacking trio of Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Rodrygo possesses immense individual talent. Mbappé's debut season showcased his prolific goal-scoring ability, while Vinícius remains a constant threat on the left flank. Rodrygo, despite his technical skills, has sometimes struggled for consistency. The challenge lies in transforming these individual stars into a cohesive unit, ensuring their skills complement each other rather than overlap. Last season, the attack often appeared disjointed, with the players operating in parallel rather than in sync. Alonso needs to foster a system that encourages fluidity, selfless movement, and coordinated pressing, drawing inspiration from teams like Paris Saint-Germain, where the attacking players prioritize team cohesion over individual glory.
Tactical balance is another critical area Alonso needs to address. The 2025 season exposed imbalances between defensive solidity and attacking flair. While Real Madrid boasts exceptional attacking talent, they sometimes struggled to maintain structural coherence, especially during transitions. Alonso, known for his organized approach and emphasis on a high press, aims to instill a new footballing philosophy at the club. This involves creating a team that is disciplined in its defensive duties, with the attacking players actively participating in disrupting the opposition's build-up play.
Alonso's preferred tactical setup often involves a five-man defensive line. The Club World Cup provides an opportunity to experiment with this formation, potentially utilizing players like Antonio Rüdiger, Rafa Marín, and Dean Huijsen as key figures in defense. The potential acquisition of wing-backs like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Álvaro Carreras further underscores Alonso's intention to implement this system. However, the failure to secure Carreras before the Club World Cup presents an immediate challenge, potentially leaving Alonso with limited options at left-back.
Beyond tactics, Alonso also needs to foster a strong team spirit and ensure every player is committed to working for the collective good. This involves instilling a culture of high-intensity pressing and defensive work from all players, regardless of their attacking prowess. Overcoming physical and tactical fatigue within the squad will be crucial, requiring Alonso to implement a playing style that demands consistent effort and intensity.
Finally, Xabi Alonso must make quick decisions regarding the squad composition for the Club World Cup. With several first-team players recovering from injuries, opportunities arise for young talents from the Castilla and youth teams to prove their worth. Including players like Youssef Lekhedim 'Yusi' demonstrates Alonso's willingness to integrate promising youngsters into the first-team setup. The blend of experienced players, new signings, and academy prospects will be essential as Real Madrid seeks to claim their first title under Alonso's leadership. The tournament presents both a challenge and an opportunity for Alonso to stamp his authority on the team and lay the foundation for a successful era at Real Madrid.
