Three things Xabi Alonso needs to fix as Real Madrid manager

Former Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso, 43, will take over as head coach from Carlo Ancelotti and lead the team at the upcoming Club World Cup, following a trophyless season. The Spanish manager faces several key challenges including balancing the squad, managing star players, and addressing the team's struggles against Barcelona.

Real Madrid's squad balance has been a significant concern, with Ancelotti expressing frustration about the team's structure throughout the last season. "Collective commitment" was lacking in the team, according to Ancelotti, who struggled with too many attackers and defensive injuries while failing to replace retired midfielder Toni Kroos.

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The arrival of Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024 brought changes to Madrid's Champions League and La Liga double-winning side. Despite scoring 43 goals across all competitions, Mbappe's partnership with Vinicius Junior initially faced challenges as they competed for the same space.

Alonso must now devise a strategy to maximize the effectiveness of both players while maintaining defensive stability and pressing capabilities.



The departure of veteran midfielder Luka Modric after the Club World Cup presents another challenge for Alonso's midfield planning. The former Bayer Leverkusen coach's preferred 3-4-3 formation could benefit Madrid's squad, particularly with Trent Alexander-Arnold's expected arrival from Liverpool and the confirmed signing of Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen.

Managing the dressing room dynamics will be crucial for Alonso, following Ancelotti's successful tenure in handling star players and maintaining positive relationships with key stakeholders. Ancelotti's ability to manage personalities like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Gareth Bale, while developing Vinicius into a star player, demonstrated his excellent man-management skills.


Real Madrid's performance against Barcelona sticks out like a sore thumb, with the team losing all four Clasicos this season. Barcelona's dominance included a 4-0 victory at Madrid's home ground in October, setting the tone for the season. A subsequent 4-3 win in the return league fixture helped Barcelona secure the Spanish title. Barcelona completed their dominance over Madrid with a 3-2 victory in the Copa del Rey final and a 5-2 win in the Spanish Super Cup final, contributing to their domestic treble.

Madrid struggled against Barcelona coach Hansi Flick's high defensive line and pressing tactics, areas Alonso will need to address in preparation for future matchups.


The appointment of a comparatively young manager also reflects the club's attitude towards the challenges that loom large above them, both domestically and in Europe. With an impressive squad on paper, it will be upto the Bundesliga winner to turn things around at the Santiago Bernabeu.