Real Madrid’s new coach demands more from his attackers for the coming season

This week marks the beginning of the Xabi Alonso era at Real Madrid. The Whites return to training under the former midfielder, with one clear objective: to win the Club World Cup and salvage a disappointing season. As a bonus, a handsome financial gain awaits the winner of this competition, with nearly €115 million up for grabs—a sum Florentino Pérez wouldn’t refuse.

The Madrid club has already strengthened its squad with the signings of Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold, and more are expected to follow before the tournament begins on June 18 against Al Hilal. Players like Alvaro Carreras and Nico Paz could also join the squad. Aware of the importance of the coming weeks, Xabi Alonso is working hard to refine his tactical system and impose his method.

According to Marca, the Basque coach could ultimately abandon his 3-4-2-1 system, which he had so successfully implemented at Leverkusen, and return to Real Madrid’s traditional 4-3-3. This decision is partly due to a squad less suited to this configuration, as well as several injuries in defense that complicate the implementation of a more daring formation.

But beyond the system, Xabi Alonso has clear demands for his attacking players. He expects them to be fully committed to their defensive work, an aspect that was too often neglected last season. In the Champions League, Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Jr., undisputed starters in attack, were among the players who covered the fewest kilometers, a sign of insufficient defensive withdrawal. For Alonso, this will no longer be tolerated.

The new coach will be uncompromising on this point: his attacking stars will have to invest more in defensive duties. Mbappé and Vinicius Jr. have been warned, rigor will be required.