Will they be able to win the CL?

Xabi Alonso: the tactical genius behind Real Madrid’s rebirth Xabi Alonso has succeeded where others have failed, solving problems that seemed insoluble just a few months ago. The Mbappe-Vinicius dilemma on the left? Govern. Passive pressing present with Ancelotti? Disappeared. With Real Madrid top of La Liga with five points and preparing to face Liverpool in the Champions League, Alonso’s tactical plan suddenly seems complete and formidable.

The transformation of Real Madrid under the Alonso era

The recent 2-1 win against Barcelona was an example of quality and control. Alonso set up a nominal 4-3-3, but as always fluid. When in possession, the team easily switched from 4-2-4 to 3-2-5, patterns that we have been accustomed to observing in Alonso’s teams since his time at Leverkusen.

Against Barcelona’s pressing, Real Madrid’s rotations particularly impressed. Starting from the basic 4-2-4, they found a way to exploit Lamine Yamal’s high pressing, using Vinicius to immobilize Kounde, Mbappe to maintain the line and Alvaro Carreras as a free outlet. Carreras often received the ball unchallenged, unleashing those fluid combinations that have sculpted Barcelona’s structure time and again.

The construction form of Real Madrid

Carreras could be the quiet star of this system. One minute he retreats into a three-man block, the next he advances to the center to create a 4v3 numerical overload. This tactical flexibility gives Vinicius and Mbappe the freedom to do what they do best: roam, twist and wreak havoc.

Real Madrid presses with Alonso

The most visible change under Alonso happened without the ball. Last season, Real Madrid was able to “suffer” together and rely on its special qualities in attack. Now they are much more proactive. Their pressing against Barcelona was one to man, thanks to the goalkeeper’s clearances, forcing the opposing team to play long and attempt low-percentage passes. Alonso’s players won these duels, recovered second balls and kept Barcelona on the defensive.

Jude Bellingham’s role under Alonso

Nobody represents Alonso’s Real Madrid better than Jude Bellingham. He is the link between every moving part: midfielder, attacker and everything in between. Against Barcelona his role evolved over the course of the match. Starting from the right, Alonso moved him to the centre, unleashing his ability to slip between the lines. Bellingham scored the winning goal, once again synchronizing his run with that strange awareness that makes him indefensible.

Will Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid be able to win the Champions League?

Alonso achieved something extraordinary: turning the Galacticos team into a unit again. His system flatters the stars, but also empowers little-known players: Valverde reinvented as a hybrid full-back, Tchouameni anchoring everything with intelligence and aggression, Carreras holding the entire left side together.

After dismantling Barcelona, ​​Real Madrid overwhelmed Valencia 4-0, and it already looks like the title race could be theirs. But Alonso’s prospects are broader: the next step is a return to Anfield, where he first caused a sensation as a player.

If his team performs there like they did in the Clasico, it could be the perfect scene to issue a warning: Real Madrid is back and aiming for the Champions League.

Xabi Alonso: The Tactical Genius Behind Real Madrid‘s Rebirth

Few managers inherit complexity and turn it into clarity as quickly as Xabi Alonso has in Madrid. Within months, he has addressed tactical dilemmas that previously felt unsolvable. The Mbappé–Vinícius coexistence on the left? Structured and optimized. The passive pressing that lingered in the final phase under Carlo Ancelotti? Replaced with coordinated intensity. With Madrid sitting five points clear at the top of La Liga and preparing to face Liverpool FC in the Champions League, Alonso’s blueprint appears increasingly complete.

The Structural Transformation

The recent 2–1 victory against FC Barcelona showcased both control and adaptability. Nominally a 4-3-3, Madrid’s structure is fluid by design. In possession, it morphs seamlessly into a 4-2-4 during early progression, before stabilizing into a 3-2-5 in sustained attacks—positional patterns reminiscent of Alonso’s work at Leverkusen.

Against Barcelona’s aggressive pressing, Madrid’s rotational discipline stood out. From a base 4-2-4, they manipulated pressing triggers intelligently. Lamine Yamal’s high pressing was used as a reference point: Vinícius Júnior pinned Jules Koundé deep, Kylian Mbappé stretched the defensive line vertically, and Álvaro Carreras functioned as the free outlet in buildup. Carreras frequently received the ball without immediate pressure, allowing Madrid to access interior channels and destabilize Barcelona’s defensive shape.