Real Madrid transforms

Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid embark on a new journey.

Real Madrid close out a long and physically draining season with their first match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup™ against Al Hilal - a tournament they not only want to win, but also hope to serve as a springboard for a new cycle under coach Xabi Alonso. In the sweltering heat of the mid-North American summer, the usual sharp, dominant “Los Blancos” were nowhere to be seen.

But that was no surprise. More importantly, this was the beginning – not of a tournament, but of a new era.

Today's lineup is not tomorrow's lineup.

In fact, the squad that Xabi Alonso has at his disposal is only temporary. Many key players are absent due to injury, while some new faces will be added in the summer. Therefore, what Xabi is experimenting with is not just tactics, but the foundation for the near future - where names like Huijsen or Gonzalo suddenly become the center of attention.

Among them, Huijsen stands out. This young defender not only defends solidly but also shows great confidence with the ball at his feet - something that Real Madrid always demands from its center backs.

It would be unfair to rush to praise after one game, but Huijsen sent a clear message that he is ready to enter serious competition at the back. In a season where Real's defence has been plagued by injuries, this is a rare positive sign.

Up front, the notable name is Gonzalo - a rare striker with the ability to play high balls in the current squad. Real Madrid currently has fast wingers like Vinicius, Rodrygo or Mbappe, but lacks someone capable of finishing high crosses. Gonzalo is not as tall as Joselu, not as complete as Haaland, but brings a different and much-needed attacking option: fixing the opposing defenders, opening up space for the names on the wing.

More importantly, the presence of a pure “number 9” like Gonzalo allows Mbappe to play on the left - the position that brought him to the top at PSG and the French national team. For Xabi, it is a tactical variation worth investing in for the long term.

The squad that Xabi Alonso has at the moment is only temporary.

The lackluster performance against Al Hilal was not only due to unfinished tactics, but also because the players' physical condition had been worn down after a long season. Stars like Valverde and Bellingham - who were known for their excellent physical condition - also began to show signs of fatigue. It was no coincidence that in the harsh afternoon sun in the US, Real Madrid played sluggishly, lacking vitality and speed.

This decline was inevitable. But it also shows that the 2025 Club World Cup is not a place to demand beautiful football, but a time for Xabi to evaluate, review and restructure the squad. In the context of the pillars needing to rest, he needs to find new solutions - both tactical and personnel - to enter the next season with more solid preparation.

Expectations from a "strange yet familiar" tournament

This year’s Club World Cup may be the first of its kind, but it harks back to the days of the legendary Intercontinental Cup, where the Champions League winners faced off against South Americans. And rightly so, with the first few games bringing plenty of surprises: Bayern Munich demolished Auckland 10-0, Monterrey held the European runners-up to a draw, Inter Milan were hit by a Sergio Ramos header, and Messi and Inter Miami beat Porto.

Amid the chaos of modern football, a tournament that was once seen as purely commercial has become an opportunity for clubs to reflect on themselves – and start anew. For Xabi Alonso, this was more than just a test. It was a transfer of power, a declaration that a new era had begun for Real Madrid, even if it was written in the heat of summer and in a match that no one expected much.

But as history has proven, great times often start from the most ordinary moments.

Source: https://znews.vn/real-madrid-chuyen-minh-post1562762.html