Passing Mastermind to Tactical Maestro – The Xabi Alonso Era Begins

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.

 

As long that you actually keep your word...

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.

 

🚨 Real Madrid have landed in USA 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/E4AKIK4DJa

— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) June 14, 2025

Drip.

 

AI translation voice and lip sync crazy good btw.

🗣️ Xabi Alonso: Everything had to be accelerated because we have little time. But we are starting to work as a team, and we are eagr to have a good tournament”

*Video translated with AI

pic.twitter.com/16ABKMJC1y

— Real Madrid Info ³⁶ (@RMadridInfo) June 15, 2025

"Se tiene que acelerar todo porque tenemos poco tiempo. Empezaremos a hacer equipo" 💭

Xabi Alonso le cuenta a @SQuirante sus primeros días en el Real Madrid ⚪

🔗 https://t.co/gb1AMHxmwO#FIFACWC | Todos los partidos gratis en https://t.co/yWCWbevPop #TakeItToTheWorld pic.twitter.com/Bu6pxf42I2

— DAZN Fútbol (@DAZNFutbol) June 15, 2025

 

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.

 

That’s really impressive, so AI is lip reading and translating into English in real time? Living in the future.

 

🚨 JUST IN: Real Madrid have hired Javier Arnaiz and Ismael Fernandez to their physical coaching staff this week: the two men are co-creators of a new injury-prevention technology called ThermoHuman.

ThermoHuman uses AI and thermal cameras to compare the left side of the body… pic.twitter.com/Nn9oWqvF74

— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) June 15, 2025

 

🚨 Xabi Alonso x Viní Jr. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/pkEkBVfMF5

— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) June 15, 2025

 

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.

 

Then don't, i can't tell but maybe you are joking.....

 

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.

 

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.

 

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

 

Honest question and no offense, are you on the spectrum?

 

🚨 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.” @La_SER pic.twitter.com/klJs1Rj3qY

— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) June 16, 2025

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.” @La_SER pic.twitter.com/NhmWXDnGOx

— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) June 16, 2025

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.” @La_SER pic.twitter.com/uhnByHAnNA

— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) June 16, 2025

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.”

 

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.

 

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

 

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.