The past two years at Real Madrid have been nothing short of a tumultuous journey. Following the departure of club legend Karim Benzema, the team managed to clinch a domestic double, fueled by standout performances from Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr., Dani Carvajal, Toni Kroos, Fede Valverde, and Thibaut Courtois. Just two days after their Champions League triumph, the announcement of Kylian Mbappé joining the squad seemed to signal the dawn of a new era. The prospect of a trio featuring Vinicius, Bellingham, and Mbappé raised expectations sky-high. However, as the season unfolded, it became evident that the challenges ahead were formidable.
Injuries plagued the squad, with devastating ACL tears impacting key players. The wing-back positions were primarily filled by Fran Garcia and Lucas Vazquez, leading to a defensive collapse that disrupted the team’s balance. Carlo Ancelotti‘s tactical choices came under scrutiny as he employed a high line without adequate pressing support. As a result, the team struggled to maintain possession under pressure and lacked a reliable ball progressor. Although Mbappé eventually found his rhythm and reached the 40-goal milestone I had anticipated, Vinicius faced a dip in form during his resurgence. Bellingham played through persistent shoulder pain, while Toni Kroos’s absence was felt acutely. To complicate matters further, Barcelona emerged as a formidable force following Lionel Messi’s departure.
A Perfect Storm of Adversity
This confluence of factors created what could be described as one of the most challenging seasons for Real Madrid in recent memory. Yet, rather than viewing this as a beginning of a downturn era, it feels more like an unfortunate blip on an otherwise illustrious path. With fresh signings and the emergence of young talent under Xabi Alonso‘s tactical vision, there are signs that stability is returning. While there may still be hurdles ahead—potentially more pain—the trajectory appears promising. Historically, Real Madrid has shown an ability to rebound swiftly from setbacks; with such a youthful core now in place, they remain contenders in European competitions for years to come.
Xabi Alonso’s Tactical Renaissance
Alonso’s involvement in the sporting project is markedly more hands-on than that of Ancelotti. His meticulous scouting and detailed analysis have added new layers of tactical complexity to each matchday. Currently, the team boasts an impressive record of nine wins from ten games, showcasing various tactical innovations along the way. The high press has seen rejuvenation; it is arguably the most aggressive and cohesive pressing system in club history. Thibaut Courtois has been largely untested this season thanks to improved defensive organization, while offensive set-pieces have become increasingly menacing.
However, patience will be crucial for Alonso. The expectations are high for his fresh approach to rectify last season’s shortcomings. While Real Madrid is winning consistently now, true judgment will come during critical moments against elite opposition later in the season—particularly in March through May when stakes are highest. The team still has much to prove against top-tier teams; recent defeats have highlighted vulnerabilities that need addressing if they aspire to reclaim Champions League glory.
Despite having inherited a squad with glaring deficiencies, Alonso has no excuses. His acquisitions include two wing-backs and a promising young center-back alongside Argentine starlet Arda Güler. With superstars like Mbappé and depth across positions, early indicators are encouraging. In their first ten matches across all competitions this season, Real Madrid has amassed 27 points while outscoring opponents 26-10—a remarkable statistic that underscores their attacking prowess.
Emerging Stars and Ongoing Challenges
The connections on the pitch are beginning to flourish; Güler has emerged as one of Europe’s most prolific creators statistically this season while Mbappé leads in goals scored. Vinicius is gradually regaining form as well. However, lingering questions remain about midfield control and resilience—can Ceballos and Güler effectively fill the void left by legends Kroos and Luka Modric? The reality is that replacing such icons is nearly impossible; rather than seeking direct replacements, developing existing talent while securing key assets appears to be the focus.
Güler’s role is pivotal; he has excelled defensively and creatively without overshadowing other players’ contributions—a calculated leap of faith by Alonso that could pay dividends long-term. His synergy with Mbappé has been particularly noteworthy this season after being deprived of significant playing time last year due to injury constraints.
As we move forward into a critical phase of the season with tough fixtures against Juventus and Barcelona looming on the horizon, Alonso will face mounting scrutiny regarding his tactical decisions and squad management. While early results are promising, tangible success must ultimately be measured at season’s end when all efforts can be evaluated comprehensively.
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