The hours following the stinging defeat against neighbor Colchonero were very intense on the side of Madrid. Shocked and stunned by this result to which it clearly did not expect, the pro-merengue press logically fired red balls on the majority of players in the workforce, with the exception of a few elements like Kylian Mbappé or Arda Güler. But if there is a man who took dear, it was Xabi Alonso, criticized for many of his choices and eaten tactically by his counterpart Diego Simeone. The hot reactions and analyzes of the first hours now behind us, the time has come to make a more measured inventory, and it is clear that there is matter to worry.
Xabi Alonso is not faithful to its principles
More than the final result or the content of the meeting, it is above all the choices of Xabi Alonso who have taken off many observers. Since his arrival on the Madrid bench, the Basque has continued to hammer that there will be no preferential treatment, that the best will play, relying on principles such as work and meritocracy. But clearly, the actions of the former Leverkusen do not go in this direction. Difficult to explain why Franco Mastanuono, who was excellent these last games, did not start the meeting, while Jude Bellingham was there at the start despite a physical condition far from being optimal. Just like the release of Arda GĂĽler so early in the match when he was perhaps the best on the lawn and the English or Fede Valverde did not bring much surprised in the world. We note that in important moments, Alonso follows the guideline of a Carlo Ancelotti and prefers to rely on the names rather than on the current level of each.
What is the game plan?
Another question that can be asked: what is the real game plan of Xabi Alonso? For the moment, it is difficult to answer this question. Everything is not to be discarded of course, and we see, for example, that the former large Roja midfielder managed to find the ideal role for Kylian Mbappé, just as he manages to put players like Güler or Mastantuono in the best conditions. It is also true that fashion is today with a little hybrid teams, capable of depriving the opponent of the ball as to fall back and then launch Éclair offensives, like PSG and Barça. But in general, no clear guidelines come out of this Real Madrid in Alonso sauce, which gives the impression of only depending on the individual blows of its players, as was often the case with previous seasons. There too, in view of the promises of the offseason, we were clearly entitled to expect something other than a game plan that is based on giving the ball to Mbappé and hoping for a feat.
A defensive sector to pick up
Last season already, the defense was the main weak point of the team. The club has therefore invested in order to strengthen this rearguard, and it is clear, whether individually or collectively, there is not really any progress in big games. So far, the club of the capital had faced very affordable opponents, including two promoted, and we had already seen some shortcomings in terms of collective alignment and marking. Against the Colchoneros, the Madrid took the water at all levels. On the sides already, where they have been exceeded, not being able to contain the arrival of Rojiblancos players since the second lines. And in the surface, where they could not respond to the physical challenge proposed by Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorho in particular. And that is very worrying in view of the big European events and the clasicos.
The state of mind raises questions
Franco Mastanuono's blood blow, who, mad with rage, sent a missile towards the stands, was greeted by many Madrilenians. And for good reason, it was the only gesture of character that we saw in the Merengues during this match. We have thus seen a apathetic team, without personality, easy to move, which sometimes even gave the impression of taking advantage of this defeat. No player to shoot the team upwards, to harangue their troops, and very little intensity put on the lawn overall. Many in Madrid public opinion regret the era of Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos and Toni Kroos, desjuers of character who did not hesitate to go up to the niche. Clearly, this Real Madrid seems to be lacking in personality and leaders and it may cost dear.
Players far from their best level
Of course, Xabi Alonso is not responsible for all the ills of the team, and if the criticisms formulated against him since humiliation seem justified, the players are also to point the finger. If Dean Huijsen or Alvaro Carreras have missed but made a correct start to the season, and courteous remains a safe bet despite his mediocre performance against his old club, other cases are more disturbing. Vinicius Jr is for example very far from its best level, and Real Madrid will need the best version of the Brazilian to achieve its goals. This is the case of Fede Valverde for example, an essential and indisputable player in recent years but which is struggling at the moment. The Bellingham case is also likely to start posting questions, and in general, the midfielder raises a lot of questions since if Aurelien Tchouameni was not bad so far, he took the water against the first serious opponent. Currently, Real Madrid does not have so many players who provide real guarantees.
Physical seeds, again and again
Like the previous seasons, it looks like the Madrid will have to deal with physical seeds. It was Xabi Alonso's main concern when taking control of the team, to the point where he had brought in a whole staff with him to hope to reverse the trend in recent years. But for the moment, it's complicated. The season has just started that defense is practically decimated, with Militao, Carvajal, Rudiger and Trent Alexander-Arnold currently affected. In the middle, several players are also quite Insjury Proudslike Eduardo Camavonga. It is a very important fact to take into account for the next few months …
