If they can't find the 'second Kroos', Real Madrid can't dream of flying high

Real Madrid under Xabi Alonso are operating strangely: the central defenders have become the ones leading the play, while the midfield lacks a real organizing mind. A worrying sign for the rebuilding journey of "Los Blancos".

Xabi Alonso's Real was held to a draw by Saudi Arabia's representative. In the early morning of June 19, Real had a 1-1 draw with Al Hilal in Group H, FIFA Club World Cup 2025™.

A new season has begun, but Real Madrid are still stuck in the same old form: disjointed, unimaginative and lacking in playmaker. A disappointing 1-1 draw against Al Hilal at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup™ was not only a poor result in terms of the scoreline, but also a clear warning to coach Xabi Alonso - who is trying to shape a new, leaner Real Madrid.

Old problem

From his first meeting with the sporting board, Xabi Alonso had a key requirement: he needed a playmaker – someone who could dictate the tempo, build the ball from midfield and be a tactical anchor. He put Martin Zubimendi on the table. In response, the board felt that the existing midfield – consisting of Tchouameni, Valverde, Bellingham, Güler and Ceballos – was good enough to run the game.

But after 90 minutes of weakness against a more proactive and coherent Al Hilal side, the answer was there: Real Madrid do not lack midfielders, but they lack players who can play the ball. And what is more worrying is that the person with the clearest tactical vision in the team is playing... in the center-back position.

Dean Huijsen was a rare bright spot in the match. At 19, the centre-back played with incredible character. He not only defended solidly but also initiated many attacks, with precise passes through the lines and extremely confident ball control. Huijsen has the makings of an organizing centre-back - a model rarely seen since the days of Aymeric Laporte or Leonardo Bonucci at their peak.

Dean Huijsen was a rare bright spot in Real Madrid's last match.

The problem is that when a centre-back has to play the role of playmaker, it is a sign that the midfield is failing at its most basic task. Tchouameni, Valverde and Bellingham are physically fit and technically sound, but none of them are naturally inclined to control the game. They are good at transitions, direct play or high pressing, but none of them are calm enough to dictate the tempo.

Arda Guler - who has the potential to become a real “number 10” - is still misplaced. He is more technical and creative, but plays more like an attacking midfielder than a ball-playing coordinator. Will Xabi Alonso have the courage to pull his student deep, experimenting with the “regista” role - as Carlo Ancelotti did with Andrea Pirlo or Toni Kroos? Otherwise, the team will continue to play like a machine without a central axis.

With Jude Bellingham out of shape and Dani Ceballos out of the squad, Real Madrid have little to no one to connect the dots between defence and attack. The result is a disjointed, leaderless play, with playmaking becoming haphazard.

In the first half, Al Hilal completely controlled the game with a midfield of Neves, Milinkovic-Savic and two high-flying full-backs - Lodi and Cancelo. In contrast, Real Madrid played as if waiting for a miracle.

Xabi Alonso is not a "magician"

Of course, it’s not possible to expect a complete transformation after just three full training sessions. But the worrying thing is that the old weaknesses – poor pressing, slow reaction when losing the ball and disorganization when not in possession – are still evident. It’s evidence that the problem lies in squad structure rather than just form or fitness.

Xabi Alonso needs to find the "second Kroos".

Xabi Alonso, with his sharp tactical mind from his playing days, understands the value of a midfield maestro. He was once one of the best “registas” in Europe - a master of the midfield with his pace, intelligence and precision. That is why Xabi Alonso feels even more empty when he sees his team lacking such a player.

If the board continues to think “enough is enough”, then defeats will no longer be an accident. Real Madrid need a playmaker – not a box-to-box midfielder, not a goalscoring No. 8, but someone who can bring the team together with the ball. It could be Zubimendi, it could be someone else – but it cannot be Huijsen, no matter how good he is.

Modern football is not won by strength alone, but by system. And if Real Madrid continue to play a separate, uncoordinated style, then the hope of a revival under Xabi Alonso will remain a vague illusion.

Source: https://znews.vn/khong-tim-ra-kroos-de-nhi-real-madrid-dung-mo-bay-cao-post1562028.html