The PSG and Luis Enrique will pose the next challenge in the quest to build a new Real Madrid under the guidance of Xabi Alonso. This journey has begun with various changes both on and off the field, including a new coaching staff, analysts, technological tools, and most significantly: fresh ideas and a new hierarchy within the team during the Club World Cup. The leadership of Dean Huijsen and Arda Güler has been noteworthy, as they strive to drive the team’s ambitions forward. Meanwhile, the impressive performances of Gonzalo García, the tournament’s top scorer, accentuate the progress being made—anchored in the widely discussed concept of modern football.
Xabi Alonso conducted his first training session as the head coach of Real Madrid on June 9 at Valdebebas. Initially, the absence of international players left the training ground somewhat sparse, but during that week, the Basque coach and his staff dedicated over 10 hours daily to establishing foundational principles, identifying the team’s strengths and weaknesses, and determining how the trip to the United States could serve as a pivotal turning point in this new chapter. The details were meticulously defined, focusing on intensity in training, with Alonso closely monitoring every drill, and incorporating tactical work on the pitch as well as video analysis, all aimed at reconnecting the group’s spirit after a lackluster season.
Four weeks after arriving at Valdebebas and three since landing in Palm Beach, Madrid has transformed both physically and mentally. “We are becoming more modern ,” acknowledged Courtois in the corridors of the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Saturday. “Xabi is more modern; he emphasizes collective play over individualism. When the team performs well, each individual will excel as a result,” he commented to the media.
According to his coach, the Belgian goalkeeper has a “manager’s mentality,” making him one of the most critical yet sincere voices within the team. “Carlo taught us much, but our styles differ; he introduced a different brand of football,” he acknowledged. “Xabi is a coach full of vigor, intent on engaging everyone with high standards. Today’s football demands pressing as a cohesive unit, where all eleven players attack and defend together, ensuring that each player is integral to the system.”
The goals from Gonzalo and Fede Valverde and the assists from Arda Güler have resulted in somewhat diminishing the limelight on Vinicius, the team’s star during Ancelotti’s era. The Brazilian put forth his best performance against Salzburg, yet Madrid has not yet depended on his stellar display to remain competitive. “If we want Vini or Kylian to dribble past four defenders, we won’t win; we need everyone in their rightful positions, and they will shine because of their innate quality,” Courtois insisted, accurately.
“Defending as a collective” has been a frequent motto during Madrid’s training camp in Florida, especially since it became a focal point of attention last season. “I don’t ask Mbappé to press; I ask him for goals,” Ancelotti once stated. Although the Frenchman has been under the weather and hasn’t started recently, Gonzalo has showcased consistent work ethic and pressure, complementing the team’s efforts. “We need that energy, that rhythm, that intensity. We have to feel that adrenaline during the game,” Alonso explained.
The New Midfield Dynamics
One of the tactical keys during Xabi’s early weeks in charge has been the midfield, spotlighting three names: Tchouaméni, Valverde, and Arda Güler. The Frenchman has become the team’s pivot, capable of shifting from defense to midfield seamlessly, serving as Alonso’s extension on the pitch. Beside him, Güler has emerged as a central midfielder rather than merely an attacker. The Turk has pushed Rodrygo to the bench since the second match of the tournament, fully taking the reins of Madrid under Alonso’s directives. “This is a moment to invest in his growth; he must mature, learn from mistakes, and progress. Improvement comes through play,” the coach said.
This sentiment varies starkly from one of Ancelotti’s famous lines during his final months, as debates surged about incorporating youth into the squad: “To be a starter at Madrid, you need to sit on the bench first.” Güler has already tallied two assists, allowing Valverde to shed some creative burdens and join the attack—contributing two goals himself. Alongside Huijsen and Trent (who has also recorded two assists), the Madrid team under Alonso has undergone a comprehensive transformation.