Real Madrid start new era under Xabi Alonso – what can we expect?

A new era starts at Real Madrid tonight. Xabi Alonso takes charge of his first match as coach of Los Blancos and, unusually at this time of year, the Basque’s debut will come in a competitive competition: the FIFA Club World Cup.

Madrid kick off their campaign against Al-Hilal in a Group H clash in Miami as fans of the Spanish side get a first look at their team since Alonso was brought in to replace Carlo Ancelotti in late May.

In a sector featuring Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, plus Mexican outfit Pachuca and Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg, Madrid will be expected to progress in top spot to seal a likely last-16 meeting with either Manchester City or Juventus. But in terms of tactics, personnel and style, what will Alonso’s Real look like?

Xabi Alonso employed a three-man back line during his time at Bayer Leverkusen and led his side to the Bundesliga title with that system, beating Bayern Munich in a hugely impressive undefeated domestic campaign in 2023-24.

The Basque may yet use a three-man defence at Real Madrid, but his tenure has been tipped to kick off with a back four against Al-Hilal, with recent signings Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen both expected to make their debuts.

Alexander-Arnold will have license to attack down the right, with Aurélien Tcouaméni able to drop back from midfield to make it a back three when necessary, while Huijsen is likely to build possession from deep.

Over time, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois may also have to play in a more advanced position and improve with his feet as Alonso favours a sweeper-keeper, but the Belgian’s role should remain similar for now and be largely restricted to what he does best: shot-stopping.

Traditionally, Real Madrid’s most successful coaches have been father-figure types, men who are adept at managing egos and getting the best out of an array of individual talents in a unified dressing room. Vicente del Bosque, Zinédine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti are all in that category.

But Xabi Alonso is something else. In his playing days, the midfielder somewhat surprisingly left Real Madrid in order to link up with Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich and learn from the Catalan.

Alonso also played under the likes of Rafa Benítez, José Mourinho and Ancelotti, but his style draws greater inspiration from Guardiola. Described by Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos as “very tactical”, the Basque favours a front-foot team dominating with controlled possession and intelligent positional play.

At Leverkusen, that often saw players crowding together in tight spaces in the midfield to increase passing options, sacrificing wide areas in order to create central overloads. Such demands have not really been made or accepted at Madrid in the past, but Alonso is a club icon, one of the best midfielders of his generation and arrives with proven methods from his time at Leverkusen. If anyone can convince this squad that these tactical ideas are the way forward, it is Xabi.

Despite winning the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup under Carlo Ancelotti early last season, the 2024-25 campaign was a disappointing one for Real Madrid and the Italian coach as Los Blancos missed out on the mejor prizes.

With Alonso now in place and a couple of new players already here, the Club World Cup represents not only an opportunity to start this era with a bang, but also a chance to save face for Los Blancos following a difficult few months.

The Basque’s more dynamic approach could benefit Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham, both below their best last season, with more chances likely to be created for Kylian Mbappé as well.

Barcelona beat Madrid four times in 2024-25, but the Blaugrana are not involved in this competition. Neither are Arsenal, winners against Real in last season’s Champions League semi-finals. European champions Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and City will represent a threat among others, but if Los Blancos can gel quickly under Alonso, they will be difficult to stop. And with a major trophy up for grabs, Madrid mean business. Always.