Los Blancos are expected to make a change in the dugout this summer, but the new manager won't have an easy time fitting the pieces together
Real Madrid could be in trouble. Things aren't going well at the Santiago Bernabeu at the moment, and there is a real fear that they could finish the 2024-25 campaign without a trophy. That would be an immense failure for a club that brought in Kylian Mbappe last summer.
But there is reason to believe that some of this had been coming. Madrid were carried hard by Jude Bellingham at the end of 2023, and buoyed by Vinicius Jr in early 2024. And, crucially, Toni Kroos was there throughout it all, his metronomic pinging of the ball keeping Los Blancos afloat. None of that matters now, of course. Madrid are bad at football. Changes have to be made.
The ensuing moves are already underway. Carlo Ancelotti is already reportedly on his way out, with the Brazil job potentially beckoning. In turn, it seems that Xabi Alonso – long linked with the job – will come in – and he will have a serious task on his hands. Not only will be face the immense scrutiny of expectant fans, he will also be handed an awkwardly-assembled squad, with tons of talent and glaring holes.
Although Alonso has proved himself as a shrewd tactician with Bayer Leverkusen, this is by no means an easy assignment in just his second senior job in professional management. GOAL looks at the ways in which Alonso could set up his Real Madrid side…
Getty Images SportThe obligatory transfer moves
Since we're playing Football Manager here, three things need to be established; the first is the easy assumption that Trent Alexander-Arnold does indeed arrive from Liverpool on a free transfer. That seems to have been sorted for some time now – his puzzled expression after Liverpool won the league at Anfield last week notwithstanding. It seems likely that, given the strength of Dani Carvajal at right-back – and the new contract offered to him – that Alexander-Arnold will be slotted into midfield (a frightening prospect for those who watched that woeful experiment for England at Euro 2024).
The second is the less likely but equally sensible guess that Rodrygo departs. His name has cropped up in transfer talk more frequently of late, and it is becoming increasingly clear that he is never going to be able to play in his preferred left-wing position if he is to stay in Madrid.
And the third – which is much more far-fetched than either of the previous two – is the likelihood of everyone here staying fit and healthy. Madrid have been hit hard by injuries this season, and at the time of writing have just one fit natural centre-back in Raul Asencio. All of the nerdy stuff that follows assumes that Carvajal is fit enough to play right-back, and Eder Militao recovers in time in central defence.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTraditional 4-4-2
Carlo Ancelotti claimed a few weeks ago that a 4-4-2 was the best system for Madrid. It felt quite a lot like an act of desperation; Los Blancos were trying to attack too much. They have two very quick forwards in Vinicius and Mbappe, an imperfect right-midfielder in Rodrygo, and Bellingham could, sure, play off the left.
Alonso, should Alexander-Arnold arrive, could make this one a bit more interesting – but also compromise in some other areas. It would certainly allow for both Carvajal and Alexander-Arnold to get into the team – something that could get complicated otherwise. But it would also sacrifice the attacking nous of Bellingham, and also give up some tempo-setting quality in midfield. A four-man midfield of Alexander-Arnold, Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Bellingham, with Mbappe and Vinicius up front, is an enticing thing that might just work, and with Carvajal offering cover at right-back, should be resolute enough defensively.
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham
Forwards: Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappe
GettyLeverkusen-esque 3-4-2-1
The temptation here might be for Alonso to stick with what he knows. There is a real danger in coming to a new club and immediately trying to instate a slightly unorthodox system (just ask Ruben Amorim). Alonso's most effective formation to date is a 3-4-2-1, with two very attacking wing-backs, and dual 10s who play in behind a bigger centre-forward. Look at Madrid's squad, and there's room for optimism, but also many ways in which this simply would not work.
For a start, it would seem to be Alexander-Arnold's dream – removing his defensive responsibilities and asking him to create from wide areas. It would also, presumably, suit Bellingham, who could tuck in nicely as one of the No.10s. Outside of that, things look trickier. Mbappe could play as the No.9, but Alonso likes his big man to be more static and reliable in holding up the ball. Vinicius, too, could be something of a mixed bag here, his attacking skills valuable when the game opens up but not quite as effective in tight spaces.
There are concerns, too, at the back. Madrid have struggled for centre-backs this season due to a sheer volume of injuries. Such a system would require a few medical miracles as well as some new signings. Left-wing-back is also an issue. Ferland Mendy would seem too defensive for the position, while Fran Garcia might be too attacking. Perhaps Swiss Army Knife Camavinga could do a job? In short: interesting, but not immediately effective.
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga
Attacking midfielders: Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham
Forward: Kylian Mbappe
Getty ImagesTika-taka regen 4-3-3
This is the fun one – the high-risk, high-reward setup that could either be a dream or a total nightmare. First of all, it's probably where the purest football comes into play; a three-man midfield of Alexander-Arnold, Valverde and Bellingham would be defensive suicide. But when executed well, it's not hard to see Los Blancos exerting full control over their opponent. It would also, presumably, offer a chance for Endrick to get a real look, while giving more space for Mbappe and Vinicius to play together. Should Alonso opt for a sturdier defence, he could play Valverde at right-wing – as he did in the 2021-22 campaign – and drop Tchouameni or Camavinga into midfield.
Either way, this setup doesn't scream of defensive solidity but would certainly offer the sort of tempo-setting from central midfield that Los Blancos haven't had since Kroos left. Just pray the game doesn't open up…
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy
Midfielders: Federico Valverde, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jude Bellingham
Forwards: Endrick, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr