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Leaving I-95 north of Palm Beach, Florida, you’ll find yourself on Shady Lakes Drive, a tranquil street with green lawns, palm trees, and condominiums. At the end of this road, in a repurposed park adjacent to the middle school, Xabi Alonso is busy constructing his new squad for Real Madrid.
"Move! Move! Move!" Alonso shouts, first in English and then switching to Spanish. "In other words, everything is in motion." At the training facility in Palm Beach Gardens, the Madrid players are packed into small areas marked by cones, divided into three groups in the midst of their training session.
Meanwhile, Alonso moves through the site calmly, reminiscent of a caged tiger, yelling for direction, corrections, and accolades. "Yes! Yes! Much better!" he exclaims, crouching down eagerly to engage with the players. "Keep moving! Good structure!"
Palm Beach Gardens presents a low potential for revolution, yet high complexity. Alonso took charge just a month ago and quickly traveled to the US with his team two weeks later. Shortly after, he was gearing up for his inaugural match at the FIFA Club World Cup. The team has already played across Miami, Charlotte, and Philadelphia, enduring heat waves and dodging thunderstorms. With many key players sidelined due to injuries, signs of the transformation Alonso envisions are beginning to emerge, evident through detailed team discussions and intense training sessions.
What are Alonso’s main focuses? During his first press conference in the US on June 17th, he articulated a vision that has been reflected in training ever since. "It’s about spacing, both with and without the ball," he stated in Miami. "We need to position ourselves better and understand where we should be to regain possession. The team must be closer together."
Given the time constraints, Alonso had to adjust his approach. "It’s about prioritizing the core message and concepts," he explained. "We can’t cover everything, but we’re focused on the critical areas… I’m confident we’ll be a much improved team by the end of this tournament."
With limited training opportunities available, Alonso and his staff have resorted to utilizing video sessions to convey their ideas to the players. "The heat doesn’t allow for too much," he remarked on June 21. "In the afternoons, at the hotel, we aim for efficiency in our visual training—both collectively and individually."
The Club World Cup, however, introduced unexpected hurdles. Star striker Killian Mbappé, the previous season’s top scorer, has been hospitalized with gastroenteritis and hasn’t participated in any matches against Al Hilal, Pachuca, or FC Salzburg. The injury roster is extensive, affecting the 2024-25 campaign. Other unavailable first-team players include Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Eduardo Camavinga, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, and Endrick.
Raúl Asencio’s red card early in the match meant the team had to play most of the game against Pachuca with only ten players, forcing Alonso to revise his strategy on the fly. The team’s opening match resulted in a 1-1 draw against Al Hilal in Miami, where disappointment lingered due to the humid conditions at Hard Rock Stadium. Asensio conceded a penalty, and Federico Valverde missed a crucial penalty in extra time.
"We spent four years with Ancelotti," goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois noted. "We have to adapt to what the new coach wants—this can’t be achieved in just four days."
Courtois describes the adjustment process as "trial and error." In Charlotte, Madrid overcame Pachuca 3-1 following Asensio’s red card, with Jude Bellingham, Alda Güler, and Valverde contributing from midfield. In Philadelphia, the team found new momentum, winning 3-0 against Salzburg with a dynamic 3-4-3 formation, exhibiting a spark that had been missing since the previous season.
So, after three matches in the Club World Cup, how many elements of Alonso’s philosophy are already reflected in the team?
"Just a little!" Alonso laughed when asked. "We’re working to uncover solutions based on our fundamental ideas. The matches provide valuable lessons for improvements."
Defense: Emphasizing Tactical Flexibility
Alonso states he is not committed to using three central defenders, despite his previous experience at Bayer Leverkusen. Following Rüdiger’s return for the Salzburg match, the coach opted for a backline that included Rüdiger alongside Chuameni and Huijsen.
Rüdiger had been accustomed to a back three during his time at Chelsea, making the transition seamless. "He quickly adapted, giving us greater flexibility," Alonso explained.
Flexibility is a recurring theme for Alonso. "I’ve always aimed for it," he noted, referencing the shift to a back three formation. "Players have the intelligence and footballing experience to understand its advantages."
This adaptability extends to how the team coordinates during games, particularly evident when they adjusted to a ten-player lineup against Pachuca. Last season, Madrid often appeared predictable and somewhat stale. The mid-game restructuring against Charlotte proved consistent and effective. "The intelligence shown during that game gave us an edge," Alonso remarked. "I’m very pleased with how quickly we managed this change during the cooling break, which led to a strong performance."
New signings, such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Huijsen, are also adapting well. Alonso described Huijsen as "one of the foundations" for the new project. Courtois added, "Trent came with vast experience from Liverpool, so we don’t need to give him extensive guidance… Huijsen has been a great asset too; it’s a collaborative learning process for our defensive strategy."
Midfield: Defining Güler’s Role
Alda Güler previously played just 373 minutes in the 2023-24 season but has already exceeded that with 1,247 minutes in the current season. Initial signs suggest that the 20-year-old attacking midfielder is set to play a more significant role under Alonso compared to Ancelotti. Güler was introduced in the second half against Al Hilal, greatly improving the team’s performance, and has maintained his starting spot against Pachuca and Salzburg, recently featuring in a double pivot alongside Valverde in Philadelphia.
With no immediate plans to sign a creative midfielder, Alonso believes that Güler can fulfill that role effectively. "I think we can control the midfield with our current squad," he stated.
Bellingham too has taken on a new role against Salzburg, playing alongside Güler and Valverde on the right. Alonso has been clear about his expectations for Bellingham. "He has the capacity to cover a lot of ground, but he needs to start from the right positioning," he said. "He has the soul of a central midfielder, involved in build-up play and capable of getting into the box."
Bellingham has benefited from shoulder surgery that had been hindering him since last November, allowing him more freedom of movement; he anticipates a return to full fitness soon. "It’s been a while coming," Bellingham shared recently. "I’m ready to be done with the shoulder braces."
Attack: Encouraging Young Talent
A common critique of Ancelotti’s tenure was his reluctance to trust young players from the academy. Gonzalo Garcia’s standout performances in the Club World Cup demonstrate the advantage of placing confidence in emerging talent.
Garcia scored against Al Hilal and provided an assist against Pachuca, later scoring another goal against Salzburg. Despite his youth, he responds to reporters with the poise of a seasoned player. "I was well aware of Garcia," Alonso noted. "I’ve been closely following Castilla… he’s a traditional number 9, reminiscent of Raúl, always in the right spot and poised for scoring opportunities."
It’s rare to compare a young player from Madrid’s academy to a club legend like Raúl. While Alonso has not confirmed any upcoming decisions for the 2025-26 season, Garcia’s presence in the squad seems likely. Rodrygo featured prominently against Al Hilal but was absent against Pachuca, with minimal impact in Salzburg. Alonso has described him as a "special player" expected to play a significant role in the Club World Cup, but the results have yet to materialize.
Emphasis on Team Unity
Throughout his time so far, Alonso has underscored the importance of flexibility while also emphasizing the need for compact team structures. Every player must work collaboratively, a concept that Ancelotti struggled to implement last season with his front duo, particularly with Vinicius Jr. and Mbappé.
"That’s vital," Alonso stated in the US. "Everyone must contribute at each stage of the play… We need a cohesive unit to press effectively. It’s about teamwork."
A moment that particularly impressed Alonso during the match against Salzburg occurred when his team lost possession after a corner kick while leading 2-0 in the 75th minute. "The way all the players sprinted to recover the ball was phenomenal," he reflected. "When every player is involved like that, it’s incredibly important."
Though this has only been a brief series of matches, upcoming games against Juventus and potentially Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain will further reveal Alonso’s vision for Real Madrid. Early indicators, especially from the Salzburg match, are promising.
"The players are eager to develop, learn, and adapt," Alonso noted this week. "They are top-level athletes and grasp concepts quickly, but it’s all about daily work and building those habits into their game."
Fan Take: This news highlights Xabi Alonso’s transformative potential at Real Madrid, especially in integrating young talents and fostering a cohesive playing style, critical for clubs seeking to remain competitive. Fans should watch closely as his strategies unfold this season, as they could redefine the team’s identity and influence the dynamics of European football.
