By Martin Graham
Xabi Alonso officially began his tenure as Real Madrid manager with his first training session on June 9, marking a significant moment for the club as it enters a new chapter. After the departure of Carlo Ancelotti in May, the Spanish giants turned to their former midfielder to restore the club’s dominance both domestically and in Europe following a disappointing 2024–25 campaign.
Although many of Real Madrid’s star players were missing due to injuries or international duty – including Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Trent Alexander-Arnold – Alonso began preparations at Valdebebas ahead of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off on June 18. The former Bayer Leverkusen coach spent over ten hours with his squad during the session, focusing on reshaping the team’s identity.
Alonso wasted no time setting the tone on his first day. According to MARCA, the early focus was on ball circulation, followed by pressing drills across multiple zones. The new manager was highly engaged throughout, pushing players through physically intense routines and emphasizing swift transitions.
One of the key problems during the latter stages of Ancelotti’s time at the helm was the team’s passive response after losing possession. Real Madrid often allowed opponents to control matches, rarely pressing with intensity. This approach contributed to several defeats, including a notable 3–0 loss to Arsenal in the Champions League quarterfinals, where Real Madrid ran significantly less than their opponents.
Alonso’s commitment to a more aggressive and dynamic playing style was evident throughout the session. His efforts aim to address the team’s previous lack of urgency and reinvigorate their approach ahead of a challenging schedule that includes the summer tournament and a new league season shortly thereafter.
Two key players were back in full training: Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão. Both defenders missed the majority of last season due to ACL injuries but participated fully on day one. Their availability is a positive development for Alonso, who will rely on their experience, especially with a tight match calendar and multiple competitions ahead.
David Alaba also took part in the session, but his place in the squad remains uncertain given his injury history. Despite the addition of new defenders like Dean Huijsen and Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid will benefit from having seasoned players like Carvajal and Militão back in the rotation.
Meanwhile, Rodrygo returned to training amid transfer rumors linking him with Premier League clubs. The Brazilian forward endured a rough spell last season, scoring just once in his final 22 appearances. However, he looked focused and engaged during Alonso’s session, hoping to earn a fresh start under new leadership.
With many attacking teammates unavailable, Rodrygo now has a chance to make a strong impression and reclaim a spot in the lineup. Alonso may favor a two-man frontline with Vinícius and Mbappé, but the Brazilian winger has an early opportunity to prove his value.
Several promising academy players joined the session due to the absence of senior stars. Among them were Diego Aguado and Youssef Lekhedim, both young defenders with the potential to feature in the upcoming Club World Cup. Aguado, an 18-year-old who can operate both centrally and on the left, brings versatility, while 19-year-old Lekhedim is a natural left back.
Raúl Asencio also trained with the first team, continuing his progress from Castilla. With Ferland Mendy recovering and Álvaro Carreras unavailable for the tournament, Alonso may turn to these youth options for depth.
The coming weeks offer these prospects a rare platform to impress the new coaching staff. Solid performances in training and competitive matches could open the door to increased involvement throughout the upcoming campaign.
