Xabi Alonso faces Real Madrid midfield crisis ahead of season debut
Real Madrid will begin their 2025/26 campaign on Monday (11) against Austrian side WSG Tirol, but new coach Xabi Alonso enters the season with a major headache: a depleted midfield.
Key Midfield Absences
The Spanish manager will be without three pillars of Los Blancos’ engine room: Jude Bellingham, sidelined until late November, Eduardo Camavinga, recovering from an ankle sprain, and Luka Modric, who left the club this summer without being replaced.
These absences leave Madrid with limited creative options compared to Carlo Ancelotti’s squad last season, forcing Alonso to reshape his tactical setup from the outset.
Tchouaméni, Güler and Valverde Step Up
Alonso is expected to rely on Aurélien Tchouaméni in defensive midfield, with Arda Güler and Federico Valverde carrying the creative and transitional responsibilities. Güler, who impressed before injury setbacks, is now viewed as a long-term successor to Modric or Kroos.
Other rotational options include Dani Ceballos, who could benefit from Madrid’s lack of depth, and Brahim Díaz, capable of playing both as an attacking midfielder and wide forward.
Defensive Stability, Attacking Firepower
While midfield looks fragile, Madrid’s defense should be reinforced by the return of Antonio Rüdiger and Éder Militão, both fit after missing much of last season.
In attack, Alonso faces another strategic question: how to pair Vinícius Júnior with new signing Kylian Mbappé, and who will complete the forward trio in his preferred system.
First Test for Xabi Alonso
Monday’s debut in Innsbruck will serve as an early test of Alonso’s tactical adaptability. With limited midfield depth, he must rely on balance, defensive solidity, and the firepower of Vinícius and Mbappé to navigate the opening fixtures.
The return of Bellingham and Camavinga later this year will be critical for Madrid’s ambitions, but until then, Alonso’s solutions in midfield could define the early trajectory of his tenure.
