Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid Revolution: Tactical Shifts, Youth Opportunities, and Early Impressions After One Month

After just one month in charge, Xabi Alonso is already leaving his mark on Real Madrid. Training sessions in Florida and matches in the Club World Cup have offered glimpses into his vision for the team.

At Real Madrid's training base in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Alonso can be heard directing players in both English and Spanish. "Moving! Moving! Moving! Eso es, todos en movimiento. That's it, everybody moving!" he shouts. The players are engaged in intense possession drills, highlighting Alonso's emphasis on constant movement and tactical awareness.

He roams the training ground, providing immediate feedback, encouragement, and corrections, embodying a hands-on coaching style.

Initial Impressions: A Month of Revolution?

Transforming a team within a month is a monumental challenge. After just two weeks in the job, Alonso was already traveling with the squad to the United States. He took charge of his first game just days later at the FIFA Club World Cup. The team has faced obstacles, including injuries to key players and challenging weather conditions. However, signs of Alonso's intended changes are emerging from training sessions and matches.

Alonso's primary focus, articulated during his first U.S. press conference on June 17, is on player positioning and spacing, both with and without the ball. "It's about the distances [between players], with and without the ball," he stated. "We have to be better positioned. We have to recognize where we ought to be, to have the ball, to win it back. The team needs to be closer together."

Due to time constraints, Alonso is prioritizing key concepts. He aims to see improvement throughout the tournament.

To reinforce his ideas, Alonso and his staff have been utilizing video sessions with the players. "You can't do too much, with the heat," he said. "In the afternoon, at the hotel, we try to be efficient with the images. We do it collectively, we do it line-by-line, and individually. And that's not just for now, but for the whole season."

Club World Cup Challenges

The Club World Cup presented unforeseen difficulties. Kylian Mbappé, who scored 43 goals the previous season, was hospitalized and missed all three group-stage games. A lengthy injury list further complicated matters. Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Eduardo Camavinga, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, and Endrick were also unavailable.

A red card early in the Pachuca game forced Alonso to adjust his strategy quickly. The opening match against Al Hilal resulted in a disappointing 1-1 draw.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois acknowledged the transition period, stating, "We've been with [former coach Carlo] Ancelotti for four years. We have to change to what the boss wants now. It doesn't happen in four days."

Courtois described the transformation as "trial and error." Following the red card against Pachuca, Real Madrid rallied to win 3-1, with goals from Jude Bellingham, Arda Güler, and Federico Valverde. In Philadelphia, the team showcased a new 3-4-3 formation, defeating Salzburg 3-0.

When asked about the extent of his influence on the team after three Club World Cup matches, Alonso responded, "Very little!" He added, "We try to look for solutions, within some fundamental ideas we have. The games tell us a lot about how we can improve."

Key Tactical Adjustments

Defense: Embracing Flexibility

Alonso has indicated he's not exclusively committed to a three-center-back system, which he frequently used at Bayer Leverkusen. However, he implemented it when Antonio Rüdiger became available, pairing him with Aurélien Tchouaméni and Dean Huijsen in the backline.

"[Rüdiger] played a lot in a back three when he was at Chelsea," Alonso said. "I knew he'd quickly pick it up. It gives us flexibility."

Flexibility is a recurring theme in Alonso's approach. He emphasizes the team's ability to adapt during games. The reorganization against Pachuca after the early red card exemplified this adaptability. "That game intelligence gives you another edge," Alonso told ESPN. "I'm really pleased with how [the players] understood this quick change, in just the cooling break that we had. From that idea, we built a very strong performance."

New signings, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Huijsen, have integrated well. Alonso praised Huijsen as "one of the pillars" of the new project. Courtois noted Alexander-Arnold's experience, saying, "I don't think I have to give too much information to Trent. He's been a long time on the scene, he knows everything from when he was at Liverpool. ... [Huijsen] is a great defender. It's about learning what we have to do in defense together. He's intelligent."

Midfield: Güler's Emerging Role

Arda Güler appears to be a more integral part of Alonso's plans compared to his role under Ancelotti. Güler's introduction at halftime against Al Hilal improved the team's performance, and he retained his place in midfield for subsequent games.

If Real Madrid does not acquire another creative midfielder this summer, it suggests Alonso's confidence in Güler's capabilities. "I think with [the players] we have, we can be dominant in midfield," Alonso said. "We have to work on it, but with our different [player] profiles, I'm convinced."

Against Salzburg, Bellingham occupied a new role, playing ahead and to the right of Güler and Valverde. Alonso wants Bellingham to be more "efficient" by doing less. "Jude has the capacity to cover a lot of ground, but he has to start in the right place," Alonso said. "He has the soul of a central midfielder, he likes to participate in the buildup, and he can get into the box. But where he starts from will be important. That will help him."

Bellingham is scheduled to undergo shoulder surgery to resolve a lingering issue.

Attack: Youthful Opportunities

Alonso is giving young players, particularly academy graduates, a chance to shine. Gonzalo García's impressive performance at the Club World Cup highlights the benefits of this approach.

García scored against Al Hilal, assisted against Pachuca, and scored again against Salzburg. Alonso sees similarities between García and club legend Raúl González. "I knew a lot [about García]," the coach said. "I'd been following [reserve team] Castilla a lot. ... He's a typical No. 9, he reminds me of Raul [González]. He's always in the right position, always waiting for a chance."

While Alonso hasn't made final decisions about the 2025-26 squad, it's highly likely that García will be included. The situation is less clear for Rodrygo, who has had limited playing time.

Collective Pressing

Alonso emphasizes the importance of the team working together and pressing collectively. This is a non-negotiable aspect of his philosophy.

"It's fundamental," Alonso stated. "Everyone is involved, in all the phases. ... Nowadays, you need a team that presses as a unit. We have 11 individuals who we have to make work together. We need to address it."

During the Salzburg game, a moment of collective effort stood out to Alonso. After losing the ball from a corner kick, all the players sprinted back to defend. "The way all the players chased back was spectacular," Alonso said. "They were all sprinting to get back behind the ball. When there's that feeling, that we all have to defend, to be involved, that's very important."

Looking Ahead

While these observations are based on a small sample size against moderate opposition, upcoming matches against Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, and Paris Saint-Germain will provide a more comprehensive assessment of Alonso's Real Madrid.

"The group want to evolve. They want to learn. They want to adapt," Alonso said. "They're top players, so it's easy with them. They pick up concepts fast. But it's about daily work, work that gets under their skin. We're working on it."