Real Madrid is undergoing a transformation.

In the sweltering heat and with aching legs, Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid embarked on a new journey – with their first trials and high expectations ahead.

Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid embarks on a new journey.

Real Madrid concluded a long and physically demanding season with their first match at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ against Al Hilal – a tournament where they not only aimed to win the trophy but also hoped it would serve as a springboard for a new era under coach Xabi Alonso. In the sweltering heat of the North American summer, the usual sharp, dominant performance from "Los Blancos" was conspicuously absent.

But that's not surprising. More importantly, this is the beginning—not of the tournament, but of a new era.

Today's lineup is not tomorrow's lineup.

In reality, the squad Xabi Alonso currently has is only temporary. Many key players are absent due to injury, while some new faces will be added this summer. Therefore, what Xabi is experimenting with is not just tactics, but the foundation for the near future – where names like Huijsen or Gonzalo could unexpectedly become the center of attention.

Among them, Huijsen stands out the most. This young defender not only defends solidly but also shows great confidence with the ball at his feet - something Real Madrid always demands from their central defenders.

It would be biased to rush to praise him after just one match, but Huijsen sent a clear message that he is ready to enter the serious competition in the defensive line. In a season where Real Madrid's defense has been constantly plagued by injuries, this is a rare positive sign.

In attack, a notable name is Gonzalo – a rare center forward with genuine aerial ability in the current squad. Real Madrid possesses speedy wingers like Vinicius, Rodrygo, and Mbappe, but lacks someone capable of finishing high crosses. Gonzalo isn't as tall as Joselu, nor as versatile as Haaland, but he offers a different and much-needed attacking option: locking down opposing defenders and creating space for wingers.

More importantly, the presence of a pure "number 9" like Gonzalo allows Mbappe to play on the left wing – his preferred position that brought him to the top at PSG and with the French national team. For Xabi, that's a tactical variation worth investing in for the long term.

The squad that Xabi Alonso currently has at his disposal is only temporary.

The lackluster performance against Al Hilal stemmed not only from incomplete tactics but also from the players' physical condition being worn down after such a long season. Stars like Valverde and Bellingham – known for their excellent fitness – began to show signs of fatigue. It's no coincidence that in the intense afternoon sun in the US, Real Madrid played sluggishly, lacking energy and speed.

This decline was inevitable. But it also shows that the 2025 Club World Cup is not a place to demand beautiful football, but rather a time for Xabi to assess, review, and restructure the squad. With key players needing rest, he needs to find new options – both tactically and in terms of personnel – to enter next season with a more solid preparation.

Expectations from a tournament that is both familiar and unfamiliar.

This year's Club World Cup may be the first to be held in an expanded format, but it evokes memories of the legendary days of the Intercontinental Cup – where the Champions League winner faced a South American representative. And indeed, the first matches brought many surprises: Bayern Munich annihilated Auckland 10-0, Monterrey held the European runner-up to a draw, Inter Milan secured a victory thanks to a header from Sergio Ramos, and Messi and Inter Miami defeated Porto.

Amidst the turmoil of modern football, a seemingly purely commercial tournament has become an opportunity for teams to reflect on themselves – and start anew. For Xabi Alonso, this was more than just an experiment. It was a transfer of power, a declaration that a new era for Real Madrid had begun, albeit one written in the heat of summer and in a match where no one expected much.

But as history has shown, great eras often begin in the most ordinary moments.

Source: https://znews.vn/real-madrid-chuyen-minh-post1562762.html