'Individuals must sacrifice ego' - Real Madrid's new era

For Real Madrid, nan existent commencement of this caller era came pinch a achy defeat.

The 4–0 thrashing by Paris St-Germain successful nan Club World Cup semi-finals has reset nan antagonistic to zero. Manager Xabi Alonso insisted that was nan extremity of past season. From here, everything is judged connected really quickly nan squad improves, and really urgently it adapts to its caller coach's ideas.

Seven years aft he began coaching pre-teens, Alonso takes complaint astatine nan Santiago Bernabeu. The Basque, who played nether managers arsenic different arsenic Javier Clemente, Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti, has absorbed lessons from each schoolhouse of thought.

His profession scheme was cautiously drawn. If things went incorrect astatine Bayer Leverkusen, he would return to Real Sociedad's first team. If not, past Bayern Munich, Liverpool - a occupation he still dreams of - aliases Real Madrid. Now he arrives astatine nan Bernabeu pinch nan chance of a lifetime.

Those who worked pinch him opportunity that erstwhile Alonso speaks, you listen: "He makes you spot nan crippled much clearly, arsenic if it slows down."

Tactically, nan Club World Cup offered a preview. Last week's 4-0 friends triumph against Tirol successful Austria confirmed it: Madrid will play a much positional game, successful statement pinch modern trends, wherever individuals must sacrifice ego for nan collective.

The precocious property is designed not only to triumph nan shot backmost but besides to shield Vinicius Jr and Mbappe from changeless protect duties. But present lies nan large question: for a nine that has ever glorified individual talent, will nan stars judge that nan squad comes first? And if they don't, will Alonso situation to chair them?

Vinicius dominated Madrid's summertime narrative. The Brazilian, nether statement until 2027, has yet to motion nan renewal expected by nan nine aft a verbal statement successful April. "This is nan nine of my life," he insisted during nan Club World Cup. Yet Madrid, citing his dip successful form, person offered position beneath his expectations. Vinicius is betting that his performances will unit nan club's hand.

On nan pitch, his state will beryllium different. Alongside Mbappe, and pinch Bellingham conscionable behind, he will beryllium asked to take sides much than nether Ancelotti. Inside nan dressing room, nan chemistry betwixt Vinicius and Mbappe has not ever clicked - neither connected nor disconnected nan field. Last season's squad was described arsenic nan astir difficult Ancelotti had ever managed. Now Alonso must make judge competing egos propulsion together alternatively than apart.

Last play Jude Bellingham played done pain, and pinch excessively overmuch tactical freedom. The consequence was inconsistency. Alonso wants to constrictive his role, keeping him person to nan punishment area and nan 2 strikers, a return to nan devastating type of his debut season.

Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold faces a duel pinch Dani Carvajal, who is returning from a superior knee surgery. Alexander-Arnold's passing range, line-breaking balls and pinpoint crosses could redefine Madrid's correct flank - but La Liga sides are tactically astute and will utilization immoderate protect lapses during his adjustment period.

Replacing Toni Kroos requires much than 1 man. Dean Huijsen, signed from Bournemouth, has go nan cardinal fig successful building from nan back, pinch his scope of passing important to maintaining tempo.

Aurelien Tchouameni offers versatility, dropping betwixt centre-backs aliases stepping into midfield to guarantee Madrid ever power space. Arda Guler, meanwhile, has been reinvented arsenic a cardinal midfielder. Against Tirol he was Madrid's astir productive attacker, creating 4 chances and assisting Mbappe. For a subordinate erstwhile utilized arsenic a 10, this caller domiciled whitethorn beryllium transformative.

Rodrygo now faces stiffer competition. Franco Mastantuono, nan 18-year-old Argentine, headlines a £150m activity of caller signings alongside Huijsen, Carreras and Alexander-Arnold. The 4-3-3 utilized against Tirol will thief him merge him, pinch comparisons already made to Lamine Yamal's domiciled astatine Barcelona arsenic they will beryllium utilizing nan aforesaid wing. But adjustment will return clip - he has talent and personality, but has hardly trained pinch nan team.

Despite Premier League liking - including a telephone from Pep Guardiola past twelvemonth - nary general offers person reached Madrid yet. The nine worth him astatine much than £85m, and while Rodrygo has not asked to leave, nan early remains unfastened - though it looks very improbable he will move on. Manchester City person decided Savinho is not for sale, truthful that doorway has firmly shut.