Real Madrid are set to begin the new season under new boss Xabi Alonso, aiming to leave behind the disappointing end to the Carlo Ancelotti era. The former midfielder, who took charge after Ancelotti’s departure, is targeting a more ambitious brand of football while reshaping the squad.
Alonso’s early tests came at the Club World Cup in the United States, where Madrid suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals. “Things are going to be different... we are starting from scratch,” said Alonso, admitting the performance exposed areas needing improvement.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The Basque tactician demonstrated tactical flexibility during the tournament, alternating between a four-man and three-man defence, which was in contrast to Ancelotti’s preference for a fixed backline. “We need and want everyone to defend — the 11 players on the pitch have to be involved defensively,” Alonso explained, stressing the importance of pressing from star attackers like Vinicius Junior and
Kylian Mbappe.
Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid Head Coach, talks with his players during a drinks break during the pre-season friendly match vs WSG Tirol (Photo by Jan Hetfleisch/Getty Images)
Finding the right balance between attack and defence remains a priority, especially after Mbappe’s 43 goals last season failed to deliver major silverware. The Frenchman missed much of the Club World Cup group stage with illness, returning only for the defeat to PSG. “We have to be self-critical, but it will also serve us as a guide for where we need to improve,” Alonso noted.
This season marks Madrid’s first without
Luka Modric in over a decade. Turkish midfielder Arda Guler is tipped to take on a more central role, especially with Jude Bellingham sidelined until mid-October after shoulder surgery. New signings Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras and Franco Mastantuono bolster the squad, alongside the return of Dani Carvajal from a long-term knee injury.
Alonso, who promises to bring “emotion and energy” to Madrid’s style, wants to restore focus on the club’s football and not off-field controversies in the months ahead.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the ...
Read MoreThe TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide.
From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more.
The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics.
We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects.
We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.
Read Less
Start a Conversation
Post comment