With Real Madrid’s quest for silverware this season dwindling, the significance of the Club World Cup has escalated, offering a glimpse into the tactics of their new coach, Xabi Alonso.
The former Bayer Leverkusen manager, who has succeeded Carlo Ancelotti, has introduced a fresh perspective to a squad that has endured a challenging domestic season dominated by rival Barcelona. Alongside him, new signings Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen add a dynamic element to the team.
Alonso is likely to implement his preferred 3-4-3 formation, which would position England international Alexander-Arnold prominently on the right side of the pitch.
Recent Spain debutant Huijsen strengthens a defence that has been significantly impacted by injuries throughout the season.
Although several key players, including Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, and Eduardo Camavinga, are currently unavailable, some may return during the tournament.
In the meantime, midfielder Jude Bellingham is expected to undergo shoulder surgery following Real’s participation, which they hope will conclude with a championship victory.
The drive for the title is evident in their decision to secure Alexander-Arnold early with a reported fee of £10 million ($13.5 million), especially as his contract with Liverpool was set to expire on June 30.
Commencing their Group H campaign, Real Madrid will face Saudi Arabian team Al-Hilal on June 18 in Miami, followed by a match against Mexican side Pachuca in Charlotte on June 22.
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Alonso’s side will then take on Austria’s RB Salzburg in Philadelphia on June 26 for their final group fixture.
Al-Hilal may prove to be a more challenging opponent than anticipated, having recently appointed Simone Inzaghi as coach after his successful stretch leading Inter Milan to the Champions League final.
Their squad features notable talents like Aleksandar Mitrovic, Joao Cancelo, and Kalidou Koulibaly, bolstering their confidence in pulling off an upset against Madrid.
Pachuca is led by former Newcastle striker Salomon Rondon but is regarded as the weaker link in the group.
Real Madrid secured a 3-0 victory against them in the Intercontinental Cup last December, with goals from Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo Goes, and Vinicius Junior.
Real also convincingly defeated Salzburg 5-1 in January during the Champions League group stage, despite being eliminated by Arsenal in the quarter-finals.
‘Ambitious’ Approach
A year ago, Ancelotti indicated that elite clubs like Madrid might skip the Club World Cup, but he later reversed this stance. With the winners set to earn up to $135 million, clinching the title holds significant value for the Spanish giants.
After Barcelona reclaimed La Liga and secured a domestic treble, winning against Madrid in all four encounters, Madrid would greatly appreciate a victory to boost morale ahead of the upcoming season.
Alonso will face some of the same challenges that troubled Ancelotti, and the Club World Cup presents an initial opportunity for him to address these issues.
The Italian had expressed concerns about a lack of balance due to an over-reliance on attack, while Alonso has already indicated plans to utilise Bellingham in a deeper role compared to previous setups.
As a classy midfielder during his playing days for both Madrid and Liverpool, Alonso must find a way to integrate both Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe into a cohesive system without compromising the team’s defensive stability.
“We have to maximise their potential – I have some ideas,” Alonso noted earlier in the month.
“I’m focused on creating a balanced team… (to establish) a stability that allows individual talent to shine.“
Alonso’s desire to revitalise Madrid’s style stems from criticisms faced by Ancelotti, and he aims for his team to ignite enthusiasm among fans.
“We aspire to an ambitious and proactive playing style, knowing how to seize the initiative, and we have the players to achieve that,” he stated.
“I envision a team that exudes emotion, energy, and aspirational play, establishing a deep connection with our supporters.“
With Alexander-Arnold’s exceptional passing abilities, Madrid may mitigate the absence of Toni Kroos—a pivotal player who departed last summer—while Croatian veteran Luka Modric approaches the end of his illustrious career at the club.
Departing with a trophy would be a fitting tribute to one of the sport’s modern greats, while the record 15-time European Cup victors would relish the honour of being the inaugural winners of the expanded Club World Cup.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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