5 Key Takeaways
- Xabi Alonso has issued a clear warning: all players, including superstars Mbappé and Vinícius Jr., must contribute to the team’s pressing and defensive effort.
- The message came ahead of Real Madrid’s run in the Club World Cup, reflecting Alonso’s high-intensity demands.
- Vinícius is currently struggling for form, and Alonso believes renewed defensive responsibility could help refocus him.
- A new tactical system featuring collective pressing and track-back will be enforced across the squad.
- Alonso’s early tenure at Madrid marks a shift toward discipline and unity—superstars are no exception.
A Collective Commitment
At his first press conference as Real Madrid manager, Xabi Alonso left no ambiguity: “We all have to defend… Vinícius Jr, Jude Bellingham, Fede Valverde, Mbappé— all of them” must engage off the ball. He reiterated that no player, regardless of status, can opt out of defensive duties.
Vinícius Enters Form Crisis
Vinícius Jr. has experienced a dip—scoring only seven goals since January, a stark contrast to his 14 in the first half of the season. Alonso believes that requiring defensive work-rate could help Vinícius reconnect with his best self.
Stars Are Held to the Same Standard
Alonso is not permitting exceptions—even Mbappé must buy into the team’s pressing structure. His message: “the tighter we are with the spaces, the better,” underlining that defending is a collective responsibility.
High-Intensity System Incoming
This emphasis on pressing fits within Alonso’s deeper tactical shift. He wants more disciplined pressing, tighter spacing, and shared responsibility among all 11 players—signalling a departure from Madrid’s earlier reliance on individual brilliance.
Testing Begins at Club World Cup
With the tournament approaching, this is the first chance to see Alonso’s defensive demands translated on the pitch. Players like Vinícius and Mbappé will be under scrutiny—not just for goals and dribbles, but for their work off the ball as well.
Final Word
Alonso’s leadership at Madrid begins with this clear mandate: no individual brilliance matters unless the team defends as one. For superstars accustomed to attacking freedom, it’s a new era—one demanding intensity, unity, and shared effort all over the field.
Stay tuned to Goal Drift for full coverage of how this tactical reset plays out as the Club World Cup—and Alonso’s Madrid project—takes shape.
