Three Key Challenges for Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid

As Xabi Alonso, the 43-year-old Spaniard, steps into the managerial role at Real Madrid following a trophyless season for Los Blancos, he faces the daunting task of restoring the club’s dominance. Fresh off his success at Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso must navigate a complex landscape to bring major trophies back to the Bernabéu.

Here are three (3) critical areas he’ll need to address in the weeks and months ahead.

1. Restoring Tactical Balance

Real Madrid’s previous season under Carlo Ancelotti was marred by an unbalanced squad, with too many attackers crowding the pitch and a defense ravaged by injuries.

The arrival of Kylian Mbappé in 2024, after his Paris Saint-Germain contract ended, bolstered an already potent attack alongside Vinícius Jr., but their overlapping roles created defensive vulnerabilities.

Despite Mbappé’s 43 goals across all competitions, Madrid struggled to press effectively and were often outnumbered on the counter. The departure of Toni Kroos last summer and Luka Modrić’s exit after the Club World Cup further depleted the midfield’s poise and control.

Alonso, known for his 3-4-3 system at Leverkusen, could leverage new signings like Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool and Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen to stabilize the backline. His challenge is to integrate Kylian Mbappé & Vinícius Junior effectively while ensuring defensive solidity and a cohesive pressing structure.

2. Managing Superstar Egos

Ancelotti’s knack for managing Real Madrid’s star-studded dressing room was a hallmark of his tenure, from coaxing brilliance out of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Gareth Bale in his first stint to molding Vinícius Jr. into a global superstar in his second.

Alonso must replicate this ability to keep big personalities aligned, including not just players but also club president Florentino Pérez and a demanding media. His aura as a former Madrid player, akin to Zinedine Zidane’s, could command respect, but he’ll need to prove he can balance egos while enforcing his tactical vision. With a squad brimming with talent, Alonso’s man-management skills will be as crucial as his strategies to maintain harmony and extract peak performances.

3. Countering Barcelona’s Dominance

Real Madrid’s arch-rivals, Barcelona, under Hansi Flick, humiliated Los Blancos in all four Clásicos last season, including a 4-0 La Liga thrashing at the Bernabéu, a 4-3 league win, a 3-2 Copa del Rey final victory, and a 5-2 Spanish Super Cup rout.

These defeats are part of Barcelona’s domestic treble, exposing Madrid’s inability to handle Flick’s high defensive line & relentless pressing. Alonso, a tactician who thrived at Leverkusen, must study Flick’s setup to devise a system that neutralizes Barcelona’s intensity.

Whether adapting his 3-4-3 to exploit gaps or rethinking Madrid’s approach to pressing, Alonso’s ability to turn the tide in these crunch clashes will define his tenure and restore Madrid’s pride.

Wrapping up, Xabi Alonso’s time at Real Madrid comes down to finding that sweet spot in tactics, juggling a squad full of big names, and outsmarting a red-hot Barcelona with his sharp mind and deep Madrid roots.

He has the tools to succeed, but the pressure to deliver trophies immediately will test his resolve. Yeah, the Bernabéu’s buzzing for this next chapter, Xabi’s got the stage to make some magic happen. Alonso must write it with boldness and precision.