Xabi Alonso Sets Defensive Expectations for Real Madrid Stars

The appointment of Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid manager already created waves of euphoria in the football world. Renowned for his tactical acumen and composed attitude, Alonso is entering one of the toughest jobs in world football — managing a squad full of talent and pressure. But even prior to the sheen of attacking flair and midfield invention, the ex-Spanish international made one thing certain: Real Madrid's success under his guidance will be founded upon defensive resolve.

In his initial training sessions in Valdebebas, Alonso is said to have placed a strong focus on structure, positioning, and team pressing — all the characteristics of his coaching philosophy that he had honed while working at Bayer Leverkusen. "We press as an attack, but even more as a defense," he explained to his team. Those are the words that summarize his thinking that contemporary football is won by teams that master transitions and stay compact even when playing the most offensive style.

Alonso's defensive requirements stretch beyond the back four. His tactics require each one — from the forwards to the full-backs — to join in and help the team's solidity at the back. At Leverkusen, his team was conditioned to shut down gaps quickly, making the opposition make errors. Now at Real Madrid, he wants to introduce that same unified intensity to a team that has been criticized for being too exposed on transitions.

The Spaniard has reportedly spent extra time working with defenders like Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger, and David Alaba on communication and shape retention. He believes Real Madrid’s defensive issues in recent seasons often stemmed from lapses in coordination rather than individual errors. In his sessions, Alonso has been seen stopping play repeatedly to correct positioning — a method reminiscent of Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti’s detailed tactical guidance.

Tellingly, Alonso has also instructed midfielders like Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni to play a more structured role in defensive transitions. The thought is that this will create a guarantee of cover in the middle whenever Real Madrid's full-backs, such as Dani Carvajal or Ferland Mendy, advance forward, so as to avoid counterattacks. "Balance is everything," Alonso instructed his staff, according to reports. "You can only dominate the ball if you can recover it quickly when you lose it."

The largest question, though, is how Alonso's system will accommodate Real Madrid's collection of attacking stars. With players such as Vinícius Jr., Rodrygo, and Jude Bellingham flourishing in attacking roles with freedom to express themselves, Alonso needs to balance freedom with discipline. People close to the club indicate he has been liaising with the forwards to enhance their defensive positioning — that they press

intelligently instead of merely pursuing the ball. His aim is to turn Real Madrid into an attack-minded, high-pressing team without losing creativity.

This was no surprise, given Alonso's professional playing life. As a deep-lying playmaker at Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, he excelled in systems that required both defensive awareness and tactical flair. He learned from some of the greatest — Rafael Benítez, José Mourinho, Pep Guardiola, and Carlo Ancelotti — each of whom influenced his appreciation for how defense is the foundation of success at the very top.

Fans and analysts alike are eager to see whether Alonso’s defensive emphasis can transform Real Madrid into a more complete side. While the club has always been associated with attacking brilliance, their greatest triumphs — from the Zidane era to Ancelotti’s Champions League wins — were built on a solid defensive base.

Alonso's message in those early days is unmistakable: raw talent has to benefit the overall system. Everyone, no matter their reputation, will be made to take responsibility for their defensive contribution. With Real Madrid readying themselves for the new campaign, the Spanish tactician's emphasis on structure, solidarity, and discipline may change the way this legendary club plays the game today.

If his ideology catches on, Xabi Alonso can not only bring Real Madrid's defense back to steel but also herald a new age of tactical innovation at the Santiago Bernabéu.