This season, Real Madrid has lived in the shadow of its Barcelona rival. The Merengues have notably lost the final of Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup against their sworn enemy, who also won the Liga by winning brilliantly during the two clasicos played in the league. A crushing Blaugrana domination on the national scene therefore. And who has several explanations, starting with the coaching of Carlo Ancelotti and Hansi Flick, as well as by the level of individualities of each workforce. But there is another point which is little highlighted.
Indeed, if FC Barcelona was much higher than its Merengue rival this season, it is largely because of the staff of each of the two clubs. An image had also toured the web during a clasico this season; You could see, in the stands, 7 video analysts for FC Barcelona, against only 2 Madrid side. Tactically, there was no photo, and gaps and gaps in terms of physical preparation and nutrition were also mentioned. This season, Carlo Ancelotti had very little support to work on training sessions, the packaging of his players and the preparation of meetings, being able to rely only on a few men including his son Davide Ancelotti and his other assistant Francesco Mauri. A globally very thin staff for a club of such a level, and it is therefore no coincidence that Real Madrid was beaten tactically and physically as soon as there was a minimum of adversity opposite.
Alonso enlisted former Barça
And necessarily, beyond the various changes in the already confirmed workforce, like the arrival of Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Xabi Alonso knows that he will have to change things internally. The former midfielder of Casa Blanca arrived with many trusted men who will accompany him and try to bring a little more behind the scenes in Madrid. Sebas parilla will thus be his main assistant. The Argentinian, still in shorts despite the rain or the bad weather which earned him some jokes in Germany, has worked with the Spaniard since the latter coached the kids in Real Madrid, and he left him anymore. A man very close to players, little friend of cameras and spotlights, but very important for Alonso. It is especially he who takes care of convincing the players to join the staff's working method, and he works mainly on the defensive aspect. The psychological side is also a point that he manages very well, he who speaks a lot to the players and has a gift to put them in confidence.
Alberto Encinas Also arrives in Madrid to support Alonso, with whom he worked in Leverkusen. He was already part of the staff of former coach Gerardo Seoane. Today Madrid, he has the distinction of having masin at the Masia of FC Barcelona, being in particular assistant among the Barça U19 and member of the Barça B staff. Very good in many areas such as tactics, he especially specialized in physical preparation, and should therefore ensure that Madrid players arrive fresher at the decisive moments of the season, and if possible without injuries, unlike what was happening. This year. He is a defender keen on the position so dear to Barcelona. A second ex-Barça will also complete this staff, he that Alonso has also known in Leverkusen: Ismael Camenforte López. Physical trainer, he is also specialized in tactical methodology, and should take over from a very criticized Antonio Pintus. Beñat Labaien will also accompany Xabi Alonso as an analyst.
New blood
This weekend, the Spanish press announced the arrival of another analyst, Tristán Ceudorwell known in Madrid, since he has worked in many youth teams from the club, and Alonso already knew him. Its role will be to take care of the individual work of the players of the first team, thus aiming to advance the players in the areas where they have trouble and to continue to polish their qualities. His knowledge of young people from Real Madrid is also an asset taken into account by Xabi Alonso, who wishes to rely more about the Fabrica than its predecessor. As you can see, Xabi Alonso decided to put the bitter bites in terms of his staff, also based on fairly young men who do not necessarily have a spectacular CV, but who have a rather modern vision of the game and things to prove.
A technical staff already more supplied than that of Ancelotti and which should continue to welcome new heads in the coming weeks. The management of Real Madrid will give carte blanche in this area to its new coach, who is already working with his assistants and new players for this club World Cup and this first match against Al Hilal on June 18. Coach who leaves no room for chance and insists on the smallest details, Xabi Alonso must therefore have weapons that Carlo Ancelotti did not have to put the team back on good rails and fight for all possible titles next season.
