Bundesliga expert explains what Real Madrid can expect from Xabi Alonso next season | OneFootball

With the arrival of Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid all but certain, fans are eager to know what kind of football their new manager will bring to the Santiago Bernabeu.

According to Bundesliga expert and commentator David Vidal, Alonso’s tactical approach will be a refreshing change for the club, especially with his successful spell at Bayer Leverkusen.

It must be noted that one of the most talked-about aspects of Alonso’s potential reign is his preference for a three-man centre-back system, which is a unique approach for Real Madrid, a club with little recent experience in such formations.

A modern and dynamic approach

Vidal, who has extensively commented on Bayer Leverkusen’s matches this season, highlights Alonso’s tactical acumen and his preference for a more interventionist style compared to previous managers like Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti.

Vidal describes Alonso as a manager who “can change games from the start,” with a style of play that is modern, structured, and highly recognisable. “You see a team with modern ideas, structured and recognisable.”

Alonso’s use of a three-man defence is not a defensive strategy, as often seen in Spain, but rather a flexible approach. Vidal clarifies that it is not the traditional 5-3-2 system typically associated with defensive teams that sit back and absorb pressure.

Xabi Alonso could play with three centre-backs. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

“It’s not the typical 5-3-2 that in Spain we associate with teams that sit back. There are often three centre-backs and four in midfield, with players like Frimpong who are anything but defensive. Hincapie, Tah, Tapsoba, they all frequently step into the opponent’s half.”

Vidal believes that a three-centre-back system could work at Real Madrid, especially if it brings results. “Real Madrid fans won’t be shocked if they see three centre-backs as long as the team plays well,” he says.

“Besides, there are players like Rudiger or even Carvajal who could adapt without any problems.”

Alonso’s authority: A key asset for Real Madrid

Beyond tactics, Vidal emphasises that Alonso possesses a crucial characteristic for managing a club like Real Madrid: natural authority.

“He has something you either have or you don’t. Zidane had it. He represents the club, knows its history, and that gives him leeway. Not every coach has that, and that counts at Real Madrid,” he noted.

This type of leadership is invaluable at Real Madrid, a club where expectations are sky-high, and Alonso’s deep understanding of the club’s values and ambitions will serve him well.

Source: MARCA