The Real Madrid finds itself in a complicated situation just days before the start of Xabi Alonso's era on the bench. While Atlético de Madrid is intensively preparing for the Club World Cup, the white team faces a bleak outlook at Valdebebas.
Since his presentation eight days ago, Alonso has been more occupied in the office than on the field, focusing on shaping his squad and studying the best tactics for his team. However, the reality is that he has yet to lead a single training session, raising serious doubts about his ability to start his tenure on the right foot.
Injuries have ravaged the white team, leaving Lucas Vázquez, Fran García, and Dani Ceballos as the only players available and in optimal condition. They are joined by Raúl Asencio, a young talent from the reserve team who has begun to carve out a place in the first team. However, this scant list of players is not enough to face the challenges ahead.
On June 9, Alonso will have his first opportunity to lead the team in training, with an eye on the Real Madrid's debut in the FIFA Club World Cup against Al Hilal on June 18. Unfortunately, his debut could be more of a “lackluster start”, as he will only be able to count on five first-team players: Asencio, Lucas Vázquez, Fran García, Rodrygo, and Ceballos.
The situation becomes even more complicated with the absence of key figures like Militao, Carvajal, Camavinga, and Rüdiger, who are dealing with injuries and international commitments. This leaves Alonso with a monumental challenge, as he must find a way to unite a depleted team without most of his stars from the outset.
With time against him and the pressure of a club that demands immediate results, the new coach will have to prove his ability to adapt quickly to adverse circumstances. Fans are eagerly waiting to see how he performs in this challenging start, but doubts about his capacity to lead the team at this critical moment are more than evident.