Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid top La Liga, yet doubts persist after his team failed to defeat Rayo Vallecano in a goalless draw. With most of his injured stars now back, questions remain about why the team has struggled. Ten days ago, Real Madrid seemed to have everything under control. Madrid defeated Barcelona in the Clásico (2-1), followed by an explosive win at Valencia. However, the balance shifted when Jude Bellingham returned to the starting XI. Fitting Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappé together worried many when the latter arrived. With Bellingham back, those concerns have only intensified. [banner][/banner]
Bellingham's Return Forced Xabi Alonso to Reshuffle
Few would argue that Bellingham's return was negative. On the contrary, his omnipresence and flexibility allow him to operate as an interior midfielder or playmaker. What is undeniable is that his presence leaves Xabi Alonso with new challenges. Roaming between different midfield roles behind Mbappé and Vinicius means that Alonso needs to invent a new formula. For now, Alonso has kept his 4-3-3 shape, which forces Mbappé or Vinicius to shift to the right wing. The problem? Neither of them likes to play there.
🏴✨ JUDE BELLINGHAM... AGAIN!
4 La Liga games, 5 goals, 1 assist. To remind you… just 20-years-old. pic.twitter.com/mzJooN7uDA — EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) September 2, 2023
The results speak for themselves: Los Blancos lost 1-0 to Liverpool at Anfield, followed by a goalless draw at Vallecas against Rayo Vallecano. Bellingham's return not only means a less efficient attack, with confusion already evident between the three superstars, but also increased pressure on Aurélien Tchouaméni as the holding midfielder. Even worse, Arda Güler's development as an advanced midfielder has been sidelined, as he will spend more time on the bench if Alonso insists on the current midfield three.
A Lack of Philosophy
Months after the league start, Madrid fans remain unsure what to make of their team. The inconsistency can be explained by a lack of clear-cut philosophy, with the team instead relying on individual prowess. Most goals still come through Mbappé and depend solely on him. Uncertainty prevails over what would happen if Mbappé gets injured, which would leave a void in attack. This reliance is problematic given Madrid's talented roster, particularly as Vinicius increasingly plays on the right wing, even though it does not suit him.
Rayo Vallecano Draw Exposes Structural Flaws
The game against Rayo Vallecano, even if it 'only' ended in a draw, exposed many of Madrid's structural flaws. With a combination of an attacking full-back like Andrei Rațiu and a fluid playmaker like Isi Palazón, Real Madrid's left flank proved vulnerable to multiple counter-attacks.
👉 @XabiAlonso pic.twitter.com/3AtxkFAjib
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 11, 2025
Under the current system, Alonso's team lacks synchronization and remains exposed to counter-attacks, as players find themselves either isolated or too close to their teammates. A similar issue emerged in the 1-0 defeat against Liverpool, where Real Madrid found themselves chasing their opponents instead of settling into a compact defensive block. Players became caught upfield during attacks while struggling to recover defensively. Undoubtedly, Madrid would have suffered a heavier defeat if not for Thibaut Courtois' saves.
Potential Tactical Solutions
One solution Alonso could consider is a diamond formation, with Vinicius and Mbappé at the top, in front of Jude Bellingham. Madrid fans will recognize such setups from Carlo Ancelotti and Zinédine Zidane's tenures, though they require greater involvement from the full-backs. Playing without wingers means wide defenders need to get involved more often in possession, which should not be a problem for Madrid's squad.
🚨 NEW: Real Madrid board is surprised at the way Xabi Alonso has been handling Trent Alexander-Arnold so far. @diarioas pic.twitter.com/UC63jZLc83
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) November 12, 2025
This is where Trent Alexander-Arnold's importance cannot be overstated, as he has been one of the most underutilized players since his arrival. If Alonso wants to maintain the high-intensity style he employed at Leverkusen, this formation could be the answer.
Growing Pains: Alonso's In-Game Management
In addition to tactical setups, Alonso needs to work on his in-game management. The Real Madrid legend has rarely impacted matches through his substitutions, indicating that he still struggles to influence games from the bench. This may stem from his limited experience as a coach, potentially reflecting the classic 'rookie syndrome' where newcomers, especially at big clubs, struggle to substitute their stars even when they underperform. Alonso also needs to find new ways to motivate his players. Reports suggest there was a lack of leadership during the defeat at Anfield, while other players have struggled to adapt. This includes younger talents like Dean Huijsen, who has struggled in recent weeks. Once precise, his passes haven't been as incisive as they once were.
🤜⚽🏋️🔥 pic.twitter.com/xhS8QagB0q
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 11, 2025
Despite being injured in October, the Spaniard has also made costly defensive mistakes, potentially indicating burnout. Until Antonio Rüdiger returns, Xabi Alonso will have to rely on Huijsen but will need to adjust his expectations of the young defender. [banner_third][/banner_third]
International Break Offers Time for Solutions
The international break, as is often the case, should serve as a time to reflect for Xabi Alonso. When he arrived, he promised that possession would return as a major focus for the team, which has not materialized as he would have liked. His team has gone through several rough patches, some due to injuries, others linked to stars returning from injury. The over-reliance on Mbappé for goals remains, while integrating Bellingham, Vinicius Jr, and Mbappé has become the latest challenge. For a team plagued by inconsistency, Alonso's focus should be clear: establish a clear identity and commit to it.