Real Madrid: Tactical Woes Resurface Under Xabi Alonso

Real Madrid‘s struggles continued as they faced Manchester City, suffering a 2-1 defeat at the Santiago Bernabéu. This loss marks a troubling second consecutive defeat for Xabi Alonso‘s side, raising questions about the team’s tactical direction and consistency.

The match against Manchester City was pivotal for Alonso, who has recently faced scrutiny from the media regarding his coaching methods. The defeat not only reflects a disappointing result but also highlights a concerning regression in the team’s performance. After showing promise during the Club World Cup, the current form of Real Madrid suggests a return to the tactical frailties that plagued them under Carlo Ancelotti last season.

Defensive Fragility Exposed

This season, Real Madrid has struggled defensively, particularly evident in their latest match. The absence of Éder Militão and Huijsen has left a significant gap in defense; however, the starting pair against City was identical to last year’s lineup at this stage. Despite some initial pressure on City’s ball handlers, the defensive organization appeared reminiscent of Ancelotti’s tenure—vulnerable and poorly positioned. The 4-4-2 formation failed to apply sufficient pressure on City’s playmakers while simultaneously leaving gaps for their attackers to exploit.

Pressing Issues and Lack of Solutions

Xabi Alonso’s tactical setup also revealed disorganization in pressing. Although the players aggressively targeted City’s ball carriers, they lacked anticipation and coordination. Against technically gifted opponents like City, this approach proved ineffective. Moreover, Madrid’s defense frequently fell behind, often caught out of position. The wide areas were particularly problematic; players like Doku and Cherki were given too much freedom to operate, leading to dangerous situations.

Even more alarming was the lack of offensive solutions for Real Madrid. The absence of a reliable striker highlighted their dependence on Kylian Mbappé for creativity and goalscoring. While Rodrygo managed to score, overall offensive coordination was lacking. The team displayed an over-reliance on horizontal passing, which often stalled their attacking momentum and allowed City to regroup defensively.

Xabi Alonso and his coaching staff left the pitch frustrated, feeling they had missed an opportunity to turn the tide against a formidable opponent. Despite moments of promising play, notably during Rodrygo’s goal, Madrid struggled to maintain possession or create fluid attacking sequences throughout the match.

The midfield’s inability to distribute effectively only compounded the issues faced by the forwards. Long balls became the norm as Madrid found it challenging to build from deep positions. Even when Manchester City ceded possession in the second half, Real Madrid failed to capitalize on this advantage, unable to create meaningful combinations in advanced areas.

This latest performance raises critical questions about Xabi Alonso’s tactical approach as he attempts to forge his identity at Real Madrid amidst rising expectations. Will he be able to address these tactical shortcomings before they become a more significant issue?