Real Madrid’s New Era Begins After Painful Reset

News Desk

Islamabad: For Real Madrid, the true beginning of this new era arrived with a harsh setback. The 4–0 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semi-finals wiped the slate clean.

Manager Xabi Alonso emphasized that the previous season is over. From this point forward, everything will be measured by how swiftly the team improves and how quickly it embraces the new coach’s philosophy.

Seven years after starting his coaching journey with youth teams, Alonso now takes charge at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Basque, who played under a diverse array of managers including Javier Clemente, Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, and Carlo Ancelotti, has absorbed lessons from all their different styles.

His career path was carefully planned. If his time at Bayer Leverkusen faltered, he would return to manage Real Sociedad’s first team. If successful, he aimed for Bayern Munich, Liverpool — a role he still dreams about — or Real Madrid. Now, he’s arrived at the Bernabeu with the opportunity of a lifetime.

Those who have worked with him say when Alonso speaks, everyone listens: “He makes you see the game more clearly, as if time slows down.”

Tactically, the Club World Cup gave a glimpse of what’s to come. The recent 4-0 friendly win over Tirol in Austria confirmed it: Madrid will adopt a more positional style of play, reflecting modern football trends, where individual egos must be set aside for the team’s benefit.

The high pressing system aims not only to regain possession quickly but also to relieve Vinicius Jr and Mbappe from excessive defensive responsibilities.

But the big question remains: for a club that has always celebrated individual brilliance, will the stars accept prioritizing the team? And if not, will Alonso have the courage to bench them?

Vinicius and Mbappe: Finding the right balance
Vinicius dominated Madrid’s summer headlines. The Brazilian, whose contract runs until 2027, has yet to sign the renewal the club expects after a verbal agreement in April.

“This is the club of my life,” he said during the Club World Cup. However, citing a dip in form, Madrid have offered terms below his demands. Vinicius is betting his performances will force the club to meet his expectations.

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On the pitch, his freedom will be more limited. Playing alongside Mbappe and with Bellingham just behind, he will have increased defensive duties compared to under Ancelotti.

Off the pitch, the chemistry between Vinicius and Mbappe hasn’t always clicked — both on and off the field. Last season’s squad was described as the most challenging Ancelotti ever managed. Now, Alonso’s task is to unify these competing personalities rather than let them pull apart.

Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold
Last season, Jude Bellingham played through pain and was given too much tactical freedom, leading to inconsistency. Alonso plans to restrict his role, positioning him closer to the penalty area and the two forwards, aiming to revive the lethal version of Bellingham from his debut season.

Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold is competing with Dani Carvajal, who is recovering from serious knee surgery. Alexander-Arnold’s passing range, line-breaking balls, and precise crosses could revolutionize Madrid’s right side — but La Liga’s tactically astute teams will seek to exploit any defensive lapses as he adapts.

Life after Kroos
Replacing Toni Kroos requires a team effort. Dean Huijsen, signed from Bournemouth, has become key to building from the back, using his passing range to maintain tempo.

Aurelien Tchouameni provides versatility, dropping between center-backs or stepping into midfield to ensure Madrid always controls space. Arda Guler, reinvented as a central midfielder, was Madrid’s most effective attacker against Tirol, creating four chances and assisting Mbappe. For a player previously used as a number 10, this new role could be transformative.

The future of Rodrygo
Rodrygo faces increased competition. Franco Mastantuono, an 18-year-old Argentine, is among a £150m wave of new signings alongside Huijsen, Carreras, and Alexander-Arnold. The 4-3-3 system used against Tirol will help him integrate, with comparisons already drawn to Lamine Yamal’s role at Barcelona, who occupies the same wing. But adaptation will take time — though talented and confident, he has barely trained with the team.

Despite Premier League interest, including a call from Pep Guardiola last year, no formal offers have arrived. Madrid value him at over £85m, and while Rodrygo hasn’t requested a transfer, his future remains open — though a move looks unlikely. Manchester City have decided Savinho isn’t for sale, closing that door firmly.