A bruising 4-0 defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals marked a stark, unwelcome start for Xabi Alonso`s tenure as Real Madrid manager. Having recently taken the reins from Carlo Ancelotti, stepping away from a successful period at Bayer Leverkusen to return to the Spanish capital, Alonso is now immediately confronted with significant challenges within the squad dynamics following the performance in the United States.
Reports emerging from the Santiago Bernabéu suggest that a key concern highlighted by the heavy loss is directly linked to the work rate – or perceived lack thereof – from Real Madrid`s attacking titans, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior. While their brilliance on the ball is undeniable, the focus of scrutiny appears to be their contribution and effort when the team is out of possession. It seems that even for players widely considered among the world`s elite, the expectation in modern top-tier football extends beyond just dazzling with the ball at their feet; defensive responsibility and pressing duties are increasingly non-negotiable, even for the most high-profile individuals.
The concerns reportedly extend beyond individual effort to address broader issues surrounding team cohesion and attitude. Sources indicate that Real Madrid`s leadership has grown increasingly concerned over the past season about a perceived lack of teamwork and instances of negative gestures exchanged between players on the pitch. This suggests that the defeat to PSG may not have been an isolated incident reflecting merely an off day, but rather a symptom of deeper, underlying issues related to collective spirit and mutual support within the squad.
For Vinicius Junior, whose electric form saw him discussed as a potential Ballon d`Or contender in the recent past, the current focus seems to be on rediscovering not just his attacking output but his overall commitment to the team`s tactical structure. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe, despite netting an impressive tally of 44 goals in what is termed his debut season as a `Galactico`, is reportedly being urged to integrate more fully into the collective defensive effort and enhance his contribution off the ball, demonstrating that scoring goals alone may not be sufficient to meet the club`s standards for teamwork.
These widely reported concerns indicate that Xabi Alonso`s initial period as manager will involve more than just strategic planning and tactical adjustments. His focus, at least initially, appears directed towards instilling fundamental principles of player discipline, work ethic, and collective responsibility. Scheduled “showdown talks” with two of the team`s most prominent and influential players signal a clear, perhaps even bold, intent to address these perceived shortcomings head-on. The significant challenge for Alonso will be to successfully demand greater defensive contributions and reinforce teamwork principles without inadvertently diminishing the attacking freedom and creative spark that make players like Mbappe and Vinicius so invaluable. The outcomes of these critical conversations, and the subsequent response demonstrated on the pitch by these stars, will undoubtedly be under intense observation and are likely to significantly influence Real Madrid`s trajectory for the remainder of the season.
Rupert Caldwell 
Tristan Blackwood