Xabi Alonso has wasted no time in stamping his concepts on Actual Madrid.
The truth is, as noticed by , the Spanish coach has constructed his system round defence first, and the outcomes are already clear.
in two matches, exhibiting a stage of self-discipline that hasn’t been seen for a while.
Commercial
A key issue behind this transformation is the collective urgent Alonso has launched. His facet has already recovered the ball 84 instances within the opponent’s half, greater than every other crew within the league.
This urgent sport is a significant shift from Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid, which frequently sat deeper and most well-liked to take in strain earlier than countering.
Stable defence with rising attacking indicators
Defensively, Madrid look nearly untouchable. Solely eight photographs have been tried in opposition to them throughout two matches, the fewest within the league, whereas simply three have been on the right track.
Xabi Alonso has remodeled Actual Madrid. (Photograph by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Photographs)
Commercial
To place issues in perspective, Villarreal, who’re at present on the prime of the desk, have conceded extra makes an attempt, and Barcelona have allowed double the variety of photographs on purpose in comparison with Madrid.
Whereas the assault remains to be discovering its rhythm, the indicators are constructive. Actual Madrid at present have the second-highest possession fee within the league at 67%, simply behind Barcelona’s 76%.
They’ve managed 42 photographs in complete, with 14 on the right track, and 4 targets scored to date, which is a median of two per match.
The most important distinction underneath Alonso, nonetheless, is what occurs off the ball. The crew now presses relentlessly, a mode they lacked underneath Ancelotti, who admitted he most well-liked a low defensive block.
Commercial
Alonso has modified that mindset utterly, making Madrid probably the most aggressive crew in profitable the ball again excessive up the pitch.
If this stability between defence and assault continues to develop, Actual Madrid may very well be set for a really profitable season.