Four Months in Charge Without a Proper Tactic – Some Real Madrid Players Struggle to Adapt to Alonso
In the concluded round of La Liga, Real Madrid drew 2-2 with Elche.
Real Madrid, coached by Xabi Alonso this season, is trapped in a slump of poor results, and even more worrying is the subsequent public opinion storm. The team that performed brilliantly last season seems to have developed rifts; some players are struggling to adapt to the coach’s tactical system, and the signals from the dressing room are not optimistic.
Tactical Experiment Ends in Failure
The Real Madrid that played promising football at the start of the season has disappeared by the end of November. The club’s new coach Alonso, who joined this summer, promised high pressing and fast-paced football, but there is no trace of it now. Against Elche, Alonso tried to turn the tide through formation changes and substitutions, but with little effect – the entire team looked dull and lacked inspiration, being suppressed for long periods by the excellent home team led by Sarabia.
The international break (coupled with the setbacks of losing to Liverpool and drawing with Rayo Vallecano) prompted Alonso to adjust the starting lineup. The simultaneous substitution of Vinícius Jr., Valverde, and Camavinga can be attributed to Champions League rotation, but the delicate relationship between the first two and the coach is thought-provoking. The arrangement of Ceballos as the midfield core, Fran García as a false full-back who actually cuts inside to midfield, paired with Carreras’ overlapping runs, formed a mirror matchup with Elche’s winger combination of Núñez-Héctor Fort – Sarabia’s tactical ingenuity is also worthy of attention.
Goalkeeper Blocks Mbappé Again
Iñaki Peña delivered a brilliant performance in this game, denying Mbappé twice in the first half with sure-handed saves. The goalkeeper who frustrated the French forward when he played for Barcelona last year made crucial stops at the Martínez-Vallejo Stadium to secure a draw for the home team. More impressively, he frankly admitted after the game that Real Madrid’s controversial second goal was a "normal refereeing decision" – such a player who calmly accepts unfavorable calls is truly rare.
Rodrygo Remains Lost
Despite Alonso giving Rodrygo a starting opportunity every three games, the Brazilian has failed to score since February. Whether starting or coming off the bench, the talent who was once a world-class player seems to have vanished; his precipitous decline in form has become an "unsolved mystery."
Fran García Shines as a Bright Spot
Left-back Fran García was one of Real Madrid’s few bright spots. Freed from defensive duties, he showed long-missing penetration on the left flank, replicating his excellent performance in the Club World Cup. Although he was substituted when the team was 0-1 down, he should not be blamed.
Set-Piece Maestro Takes Charge
English defender Arnold, who made a long-awaited start in this game, took responsibility for all set-pieces. The English full-back’s passing is nothing short of art – Heysen’s 1-1 equalizer and Bellingham’s 2-2 late equalizer both originated from his orchestration. However, his defensive contributions at full-back are far inferior to Valverde’s.
Elche’s Young Coach Sarabia Delivers Stunning Coaching
As Courtois said in a radio interview: "Sarabia is one of the best coaches today." The Basque coach has built a team full of courage; even when leading Real Madrid 1-0 and being equalized in the 80th minute, they insisted on attacking. Although they failed to take all three points due to conceding from a set-piece, their tactical philosophy has become a valuable asset in La Liga.
Promoted Elche’s Performance
At the Martínez-Vallejo Stadium, promoted Elche gave the wealthy club a masterclass with clear tactical thinking, fearless courage, and strict discipline. The team that firmly occupies the mid-table with a clear tactical philosophy not only completely dominated Real Madrid in terms of play but also came close to handing the Blancos a defeat. It was only through the classic rescues of two "familiar faces" – Courtois and Mbappé – that Real Madrid barely avoided a crisis. The entire team lacked collective brilliance, and individual contributions were scarce. Alonso’s formation changes were like shaking a tree to get fruit, ultimately failing to arouse the team.
Tactical Dilemma and Stroke of Genius
Real Madrid still showed no improvement after the break, and Alonso’s formation changes were declared a failure. Ceballos neither sorted out the offensive and defensive rhythm nor repeatedly took risks and lost his position; Rodrygo only showed signs of life when Vinícius Jr. and others started warming up. Before Real Madrid could alert themselves, Elche took the lead through an exquisite combination: right-back Valera transformed into a center-forward and delivered a brilliant heel pass, while defensive midfielder Febas inserted into the penalty area like a left inside forward and slotted home – a perfect interpretation of modern football.
Alonso immediately made three substitutions in a row, then sent on youth academy player Gonzalo. Arnold finally found a target for his crosses, but Real Madrid’s crux lies in their off-the-ball movement: the team’s pressing system was non-existent, allowing the opponent to control possession for long periods.
