Xabi Alonso's Hellish Revolution at Real Madrid

Behind Real Madrid's convincing performance at the start of the season lies a divided locker room atmosphere. Since taking over from Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso has implemented a coaching approach that is markedly different. For a giant club like Real, Alonso is considered quite bold in pursuing policies that have made several star players uncomfortable.

Historically, Real is a club that has always prioritized star players. The policy of President Florentino Perez in forming "Los Galacticos," a squad filled with clusters of stars, up to two editions in the past, is evidence of this. The genetics of Real are indeed closely associated with megastar players. The prevailing tendency makes it very difficult for young players to find a place, as everything has already been allocated to the megastars.

However, Alonso took a different approach. From the moment he arrived, he emphasized that he would not give special treatment to certain players. His first message when coaching Real was that players must run and work harder when the opponent has possession of the ball. Without following this directive, no player would be guaranteed playing time.

This is different from its predecessor, which seemed to legitimize the power of star players. The most noticeable aspect is the significant playing time of Arda Guler this season. The young Turkish player previously found it very difficult to get playing minutes when Ancelotti was in charge of the team. In addition, Alonso recruited several talented young players such as Dean Huijsen (20 years), Alvaro Carreras (22), and Franco Mastantuono (18) to complement his team.

Alonso's fondness for young players is accompanied by his boldness in sidelining star or senior players who previously always had guaranteed playing time. One of them is Vinicius Junior, the key left winger for Real. His relationship with Alonso deteriorated after being substituted in the middle of the second half of El Clasico. Vini was caught on camera grumbling, frustrated at having to leave the game early.

"It's always me. I'm leaving the team, I better go. I'm leaving," he said as he headed for the locker room.

Recently, Vini has issued an apology for his actions. In his apology, Vini mentioned several parties except for Alonso. This further strengthens the speculation that their relationship is not in good standing. When Vini complained about being pulled out, not only did Alonso fail to offer a handshake, but he also did not even glance at the angry Vini.

The incident involving Vini emphasizes that Alonso prioritizes team solidarity over catering to the vast egos of star players. During the post-match press conference, he continued to praise Vini's contribution in El Clasico. Player substitutions are purely the coach's authority based on the team's needs, and Alonso firmly adheres to that principle.

The controversial decision to replace Vini wasn't the only result of Alonso's revolution. According to The Athletic, Alonso also created a new set of rules emphasizing increased discipline, controlled training schedules, and dedication. At training sessions, Alonso also restricted access to outsiders. Previously, family members, agents, and even friends of the players were regularly present.

The same applies to access to the changing room during the match. Alonso has reduced the number of people around the team before the match and during halftime to create a better sense of privacy and concentration. However, after the match is over, the doors are open to all staff members.

Tactically, Alonso looks to Pep Guardiola, who meticulously organizes the positions and roles of each player. This contrasts with Ancelotti, who grants players the freedom to create based on their individual instincts.

“Some of them have won so many tournaments without doing these things, that when these things are forced on them, they complain,” one source told The Athletic.

The root of the division in the Real dressing room lies between those who support and those who regret Alonso's revolution. Change is not always accepted by everyone. However, whether acknowledged or not, this approach has made Real perform more solidly. They have consistently won three consecutive matches in the UEFA Champions League. In the domestic arena, Real leads the temporary standings, five points ahead of their eternal rival, Barcelona.

In addition to complaints, many have praised Alonso's revolutionary approach. His flexibility towards tactics and the routine rotation of players to ensure everyone's involvement is one of the many characteristics admired in Alonso's persona.

As long as Real Madrid are on the winning track, it seems Alonso won't be too concerned about the small ripples of the revolution he's embarked on.