From Real Madrid to Ancelotti to that of Xabi. Last week, Thibaut Courtois asked for patience from the media and supporters after the draw (1-1) against Al-Hilal during the FIFA club World Cup. “We always have Ancelotti automatisms and that will not change in four days. But we cannot change what we did for four years with him. We lacked aggressiveness especially in the first period. ” Words that had made speak and that the Belgian had clarified later, ensuring that it was not an attack on the Mister. Last night, the Belgian and the Merengues, who have been working with Xabi Alonso and the new staff for two good weeks, started to show a different face.
Opposed to RB Salzburg on the third day of the group stage of this club world, Madrilenians, still deprived of Kylian Mbappé (acute gastroenteritis), won 3 to 0 thanks to goals signed Vinicius Jr, Fede Valverde and Gonzalo Garcia. Beyond the score, it is above all the way of playing residents of the Santiago-Bernabéu stadium that was welcomed. For this meeting, the former coach of Bayer Leverkusen had chosen to bet on a sort of 3-5-2 with a three-time defense, which is a bit of his trademark. Thus, Dean Huijsen, Aurélien Tchouameni and Antonio Rüdiger were associated, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fran Garcia in pistons. Arda Güler settled in the midfield with Fede Valverde and Jude Bellingham. Vinicius Jr and Gonzalo Garcia were in front.
A defense at 3 and a pressing that please
During the match, the Madrid coach asked his troops to press high and harass the Austrians. What we had not necessarily seen very often at the time of Ancelotti. A work that paid especially in the first period and was praised by the media. Mark wrote on this subject: “Xabi Alonso begins to justify his signature. Madrid has offered a more harmonious pressing, a little more speed, its usual counterattack expertise, and the best Vinicius for months. In two actions just before half-time, they rocked the rust layer accumulated in 2025. They scored a superb goal and offered another thanks to a free version of the Guti ploy in Riazor. A golden heel that day, a decisive step in Philadelphia. ”
The media continues: “He has opened the doors of the round of 16, where a declining Juventus have been waiting for them in recent seasons. Alongside the Brazilian, Bellingham experienced a notable improvement, Trent left the first details as a long -distance side arrival, Huijsen confirmed that he does not suffer from agoraphobia when he enters the opposing half of land, and Gonzalo reiterated that he wanted to stay. “ AS is also seduced: “An author's Real Madrid. The whites qualified for the knockout stages after defeating Salzburg thanks to a tactical demonstration in the first half which lets hope that the game style of Xabi Alonso will walk with the team. ” In another article, the Madrid media added: “The Austrians stayed on the alert for half an hour, thanks to the remarkable work of Gonzalo to recovery and Huijsen by anticipating. »»
A new role in Güler
In addition to the defense with three, the role of Arda Güler is one of the new features of Real Madrid by Xabi Alonso. Replacing with Ancelotti, the Turk is taking power with his new coach, who wants to give him a more important place. The face displayed by Madrid rained last night. Mark concludes this concert of praise by writing: “We haven't seen anything like it since Mourinho. Xabi Alonso did not arrive at Real Madrid to follow the stars, but to change everything. In three games, the coach made everyone run, made Arda the team holder, made Gonzalo almost indisputable and found a new game system for 25 years in Madrid, and which was impossible to review at Santiago Bernabéu. It was not a drama to see Madrid with three central defenders and two side. On the contrary. The whites were more aggressive in the pressing, moved the ball with more speed and struggled less in defense. From Mourinho, each with his own style, no coach had also been eager to change things in Madrid. ”
Promising for the coach who was satisfied with the match. “I always had this idea in mind (to play 3 behind, editor's note). Players have the football intelligence necessary to understand why we use them. We had a lot of stability and control. The spaces between the two were very good. I appreciate flexibility. The first half was serious. We played well, we worked the game with patience, knowing that we do not win in 10 minutes, but that you have to be mature enough to find your opportunities. And that's what happened. In the second half, we started well and 3-0 … I'm happy with the guys. We progress. And now the interesting phase begins. “ Regarding the pressing that could become a habit, he said: “It will depend on the match, but you will have to know how to do it. Today, we have recovered a lot of balloons from the opposing camp in the first half … even if it was more difficult in second. But there was a good job. ” It will be necessary to confirm in 1/8th finals against Juventus and perhaps with Mbappé.
Pub. the
– Maj the
