Passing Mastermind to Tactical Maestro – The Xabi Alonso Era Begins

Discussion in 'Real Madrid' started by Aensensen, May 25, 2025.

  1. Raul-7

    Raul-7 Member+

    Real Madrid
    Spain
    Aug 17, 2006
    That is the true test; given how successful the club is we have a lot of bandwagon/plastic fans who whine and moan at every hurdle. These are the same types who wanted Mbappe gone for ruining the chemistry, etc.
     
  2. arcane

    arcane Member+

    Aug 18, 2005
    Philippines
    As long that you actually keep your word... :ROFLMAO:

    I don't fully buy this idea that players dunked on Rafa because he wasn't an accomplished pro. Neither was Jose. It was probably because of the way he interacted with players more than anything.
     
  3. Galatico

    Galatico Member+

    Real Madrid
    United States
    Aug 15, 2019
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  4. Saeta Rubia

    Saeta Rubia Member+

    May 28, 2010
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    AI translation voice and lip sync crazy good btw.



     
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  5. Donauwelle

    Donauwelle Member

    Oct 10, 2011
    Club:
    FC Bayern München
    I have read that about Kroos' weekly podcast with his brother:

    Toni Kroos: “With Hansi Flick, some players were excluded from the squad just for being late to a meeting and we also saw this happen several times at Barcelona!”

    “At Real Madrid, we would’ve LAUGHED at that. Many times, you couldn’t even tell who was late, the player or the coach.”

    “These are just different philosophies. Both are valid, but we could say Flick’s philosophy is the more textbook or traditional one!”


    It might be a surprise for some players but Xabi is an anti-Ancelotti in that topics, too - he is more like Flick. Even when Wirtz came to late to the meeting point before a match he was left out of the starting formation for that. He likes discipline.
     
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  6. Doni

    Doni Member+

    Dec 4, 2010
    London
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    That’s really impressive, so AI is lip reading and translating into English in real time? Living in the future.
     
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  7. AppleBob86

    AppleBob86 Member+

    Real Madrid
    Jan 11, 2018
     
  8. Zidane05

    Zidane05 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Jul 18, 2005
    Toronto
    How many months before we start Xabi having white hair? Balding is unlikely for him, so has to go the other way.
     
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  9. Galatico

    Galatico Member+

    Real Madrid
    United States
    Aug 15, 2019
  10. 4x4s

    4x4s Moderator
    Staff Member

    Nov 26, 2006
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    I know, no stone unturned and such, but this seems like using pseudoscience instead of addressing the real issue.
     
  11. fierro

    fierro Member+

    Jan 30, 2007
    El Chuco
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    Wow. I won't read too much into this picture but I am the type of person who wants to look a person in the face and in the eyes when I talk to them and expect the same respect in return.

    Maybe not always practical or applicable, but it's the first thin I noticed looking at the image.
     
  12. Digital

    Digital Member+

    Dec 10, 2012
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Then don't, i can't tell but maybe you are joking.....
     
  13. fierro

    fierro Member+

    Jan 30, 2007
    El Chuco
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    I'm serious. It's can be a useful non verbal cue when making conversation and trying to determine the other persons sincerity, honesty, etc.

    On the other hand, it's only a photo or a still shot and I have no idea if this a pattern of behavior, although, I think it would probably go for most people that it would be weirdly noticeable if you had a boss who always seems to be staring off into space when they talk to you.
     
  14. Xourtois

    Xourtois Member

    Liverpool FC
    England
    Sep 25, 2024
    It reflects in his teams too. He likes control rather than chaos. He wants possession with patience in attack.

    Ancelotti has a completely different tactical philosophy in that regards.
     
  15. natenate101

    natenate101 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 16, 2006
    California, US
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    WTH. Should have left it at “I have no idea”. It’s a GD picture dude.
     
  16. fierro

    fierro Member+

    Jan 30, 2007
    El Chuco
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    They say a picture is worth a thousand words.
     
  17. MaxY

    MaxY Member+

    May 24, 2016
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Honest question and no offense, are you on the spectrum?
     
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  18. 4x4s

    4x4s Moderator
    Staff Member

    Nov 26, 2006
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Kicker had an article about Alonso, Leverkusen's approach and Madrid and what they said is that it will be impossible to manage Madrid as if it's Leverkusen.

    Different responsibilities, lifestyles, egos etc.

    I do think that they'll draw the line somewhere though, and try to have limits and boundaries. There's also the point that Carlo had gained a level of familiarity with the players where it becomes hard to hold up a facade of discipline and pressure.
     
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  19. Galatico

    Galatico Member+

    Real Madrid
    United States
    Aug 15, 2019


    Xabi Alonso has told his players that they will have to run for EVERY BALL. He told the team: “It’s not going to be enough to just stay waiting for them to give you the ball so you can score. You’re going to have to RUN FOR EVERY BALL.”



    Xabi Alonso’s message to the attackers: “You don’t have to run like defenders, but you have to constantly pressure the defense.”



    BREAKING: Club sources say that Xabi Alonso had made one message clear with the team: “Those who do not run and those who do not make an effort WILL NOT PLAY.”
     
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  20. Umar

    Umar Member+

    Sep 13, 2005
    One step ahead
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    Palestine
    Let’s hope this works. Mbappe and Vini are key - if they down tools and refuse to pressure, doesn’t matter what anyone else does, it won’t work.

    Maybe they will try and keep Rodrygo in the squad as a threat to the other starters - if you don’t run, I’ll start Rodrygo up front or on the left.

    How credible a threat that would be, I’m not sure.
     
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  21. Seoul Villan

    Seoul Villan Member+

    Feb 16, 2011
    At some point Vinny/Mbappe will go straight to Flos office and tell him to slap Xabi and tell him not to make them run so much or if they do sit because they don’t run.

    Im guessing by Oct/Nov
     
  22. 4x4s

    4x4s Moderator
    Staff Member

    Nov 26, 2006
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    I have not seen a coach > players dynamic ever play out at this club since I've started following the club in my childhood.

    Safe to say this stuff comes across nice in the media but the truth will be a bit for flexible.
     
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  23. Xourtois

    Xourtois Member

    Liverpool FC
    England
    Sep 25, 2024
    If last year is anything to go by it shows that a higher number of wait for the ball then carry the ball again tactics of Ancelotti implemented on vinicius , Bellingham etc made them tire much quicker due high number of high speed sprints and solo actions despite covering overall less ground per game than average big team players.

    Our attackers need to understand that each time they pick up ball in our half and then sprint to opponent box will make them tire quicker than any extra pressing distance they will cover to win the ball back in opponent half.
     
  24. Zidane05

    Zidane05 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Jul 18, 2005
    Toronto
    This is very reminiscent of the start of the Mourinho era, where Florentino gave the reigns to a more coach centric project. The Mourinho era was very successful (at least in my opinion) given the circumstances, even if it did not end well. Xabi has a much different temperament than Mourinho and is more pragmatic, so that's a positive, but it would only be sustainable if you have the full backing of the president (and his surroundings).
     
  25. Aensensen

    Aensensen Member+

    Croatia
    Jun 10, 2011
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    These quotes, can they actually be verified or are they fabricated up by the journos/accounts who know what type of lowhanging fruit news generate engagement? Cause let's be honest, a lot of fans would love for this quote to be real and will share it left and right, building up the existing Xabi hype. Cause at the end of the day this could all be "trust me bro, according to my insider sources..."

    Now, if this quote is real, let's see if it will fly with the players. Nobody says unpopular ideas can't be embraced with time, but this will be a big shift from what Mbappe and Vini (and to a lesser extent Bellingham) were used to last year and there will most certainly be some resistance.
     
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