Recently, Xavi Alonso‘s performance at Leverkusen in Germany has attracted a lot of attention.His success in breaking Bayern Munich’s long monopoly of the Bundesliga has led to speculation: if he were to take over at Real Madrid, would he bring new energy and change to the team?
Many people feel that Alonso’s arrival may be just what Real Madrid needs, a “blood change”.So what could he really bring to Real Madrid that’s different?Let’s talk about three possible key points.
1. Stabilize the tactical system, so that players know what they should be doing.
Let’s start with Real Madrid’s current tactical setup.Coach Carlo Ancelotti likes to experiment with different formations, such as 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2, and while each of these formations has its own strengths, the problem is that the players often don’t know which position they should play in, and the tempo of the game isn’t very stable.
While strikers like Mbappe and Vinicius have done well, other important players like Bellingham and Rodrigo have not been at their best.What does this mean?It could be that they are still not clear about their position or the tactical arrangement is too confusing.
If Alonso came to lead Real Madrid, he would probably opt for a more fixed midfield three.This style of play would give the wing backs (like Carvajal and Mendy) more opportunities to participate in the offense, while also ensuring midfield control.
Moreover, with center backs like Rüdiger and Hoeness sitting at the back, the defense will be more solid.As a result, the whole team will work better together, and everyone knows which piece they should be responsible for.However, there are also players who may lose their starting positions because they can’t adapt to the new system, such as Ferran Mendy who may be marginalized.
2. Stricter management style, fair treatment to every player
Apart from the tactical adjustments, Alonso has another impressive point: he is very strict with his players and won’t be particularly lenient with you just because you are a star.
For example, when he was at Leverkusen, one of the most famous players in the team, Florian Wiltz, was late for a training session and was directly placed on the bench by Alonso.The practice was a bit harsh, but it drove home the point that no one should be special.
At Real Madrid, some players in the past felt that they were ironclad starters, so they didn’t train hard enough and didn’t fight as hard in matches as before.If this phenomenon continues, it will definitely affect the morale of the whole team.Alonso is obviously not the kind of coach who will let this situation continue.
He also attaches great importance to defense, even if the strikers have to be actively involved.This could be a challenge for players like Mbappe and Vinicius who are used to just attacking.But if they can adapt, the whole team will be much more efficient in attacking and defending.
3. Give more chances to the youngsters and develop future stars
Real Madrid has always had a good youth training system, but to be honest, the first team hasn’t really used many young players over the years.A lot of youngsters with potential, like Raul Asensio, only get a chance to play when the veterans are injured or in bad form.
Alonso is different.He has spent a lot of time in the youth team and is also very good at spotting and developing newcomers.If he becomes Real Madrid boss, he might give more young faces a chance.
As it stands, the likes of Arda Guler and Nico Paz, as well as youngsters Joan Martinez, Jacob Ramon, and Jesus Forteya have a chance of breaking into the first team.Alonso knows that promoting youngsters not only makes the team more dynamic, but also saves money on transfers while building a team with long-term potential.
If he can combine big names and young players well, Real Madrid could see a new golden era in the coming years.
Summary:
Overall, if Xavi Alonso does become the Real Madrid manager, he may bring positive changes in three ways:
While these changes cannot be made overnight, it is entirely possible that Real Madrid could return to the top under his leadership as long as the direction is correct.