Real Madrid is preparing for a significant transition as Carlo Ancelotti concludes his tenure after securing more titles than any other manager in the club's illustrious history. The Italian coach will finish the current La Liga season before departing, with former midfielder Xabi Alonso reportedly set to take the helm until 2028.
Alonso, who recently announced his departure from Bayer Leverkusen after two-and-a-half remarkable seasons, faces substantial challenges at the Bernabeu. The recent Clasico defeat at Montjuïc highlighted numerous issues that require attention from both the incoming manager and club executives Florentino Pérez and José Ángel Sánchez.
The squad needs reinforcement across several positions. Reports indicate Trent Alexander-Arnold is targeted for right-back, while central defense, midfield, and potentially left-back positions require strengthening. Despite having Kylian Mbappé, who has scored an impressive 39 goals this season, the team still seeks a traditional center forward similar to Joselu for tactical versatility.
According to statistical analysis from Statbet, Real Madrid's defensive vulnerabilities have been particularly evident in high-stakes matches, conceding 16 goals across four Clasicos this season.
Alonso's tactical approach presents another intriguing dimension. At Leverkusen, he implemented a three-center-back formation with wing-backs, a system that may prove challenging at Madrid given their current defensive roster. The Spanish tactician must decide whether to adapt his preferred formation or request specific signings to execute his vision.
The midfield situation remains concerning following Toni Kroos's departure. Tchouameni has struggled to fill the void, while Ceballos has shown promise but lacked consistency and fitness at crucial moments.
Perhaps Alonso's most delicate task involves balancing the attacking talents of Mbappé, Vinicius, Bellingham, and Rodrygo. The latter's position appears most precarious, but integrating all four stars into a cohesive attacking unit will test even Alonso's tactical acumen.
As Real Madrid prepares for this new chapter, the question remains whether Xabi Alonso can restore the club's dominance in matches against elite opposition – an area where they've noticeably faltered this season despite Mbappé's goalscoring exploits.
