The appointment of Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid’s new manager has generated excitement and high expectations, especially after their run at the FIFA Club World Cup. With pre-season training set to co...
The appointment of Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid’s new manager has generated excitement and high expectations, especially after their run at the FIFA Club World Cup.
With pre-season training set to commence and the new campaign fast approaching, Alonso inherits a talented but tactically inconsistent squad.
While the foundations are strong, it is no secret that several key areas require urgent attention if Madrid are to compete for silverware in 2025/26.
From defensive lapses to unlocking attacking chemistry and rebuilding midfield control, here are three things Alonso must improve before the season kicks off.
Set-piece defending
Real Madrid need to work on defending set-pieces. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
One of Real Madrid’s most glaring tactical weaknesses last season was their poor defending on set pieces.
To put things in perspective, Los Blancosconceded a worrying number of goals from corners and indirect free kicks due to a lack of structure and individual concentration during defensive phases.
These lapses were particularly costly in high-stakes matches, where one goal could swing the momentum. Under Carlo Ancelotti, the team lacked coordination when defending aerial threats, often leaving opponents unmarked or failing to clear second balls.
Alonso, known for his structured approach at Bayer Leverkusen, must introduce a system that includes clear marking assignments, better anticipation, and sharper reactions to loose balls.
Fixing this weakness could significantly improve Madrid’s defensive record and eliminate unnecessary dropped points.
The Vinicius-Mbappe harmony
Vinicius and Mbappe must strike a good partnership. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
On paper, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. are a dream pairing. But in reality, the chemistry has yet to materialise.
It is to be noted that despite sharing over 3,400 minutes together on the pitch last season, their link-up was surprisingly poor.
Only around 15% of Vinicius’s passes went to Mbappe, and just 13% of Mbappe’s passes found Vinicius. These numbers reveal a clear disconnect that needs urgent attention.
Alonso must build tactical patterns that encourage their interplay, whether through positional rotations, quick give-and-goes, or fixed roles that reduce their overlap on the left wing.
With 44 goals from Mbappe and 19 assists from Vinicius last season, a better relationship could unlock one of Europe’s most lethal attacking duos. Alonso’s role will be to ensure they don’t just co-exist, but thrive together.
Better balance in midfield
The departure of Toni Kroos left a major void in Real Madrid’s midfield, both technically and tactically.
Real Madrid will need a balance in midfield. (Photo by Sandra Montanez/Getty Images)
Throughout the 2024/25 season, Madrid often struggled to control the tempo of matches, especially against high-pressing or well-organised sides.
The midfield lacked both a reliable distributor and a true anchor, which exposed the defence and created disconnects in transition.
Alonso must now strike the right balance in the centre of the pitch, especially now that Luka Modric has left as well.
Whether opting for a 4-3-3 or a 3-4-3 setup, he needs to identify the right blend of creativity, physicality, and positional discipline.
Players like Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Jude Bellingham all bring unique qualities, but without structure, their impact diminishes.
Alonso’s task will be to forge a cohesive midfield unit that protects the backline, retains possession, and supplies the forwards effectively, something Madrid sorely missed last season.
Category: General Sports
