Xabi Alonso
- Thread starter El Gato
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Messi983
Senior Member
Yep, second year was a normal season for Bayer.
Maradona37
Well-known member
His problem in my opinion (as always with Real Madrid) is their football is a souped up, glorified version of Man United's boring counter attack from the 90s. Guys like Bellingham, Vinicius, Guler, Valverde, Mbappe etc are pretty poor in tight spaces really, and not great on the half turn (relatively speaking) so they'll continue to get outplayed and dominated by teams with more cohesive systems, positioning, and better technical midfielders - like they were last season against Barca and were the other night - to noone's surprise in the latter case given how good PSG were this season.
The problem Alonso has is he seems to wanna play more like a Klopp or Pep hybrid - lots of high pressing, turns and feints in small spaces, wriggling free and opening up space with ability and movement and turns in tight areas. But can this team do that? In flashes maybe, but not consistently throughout the 90 or throughout numerous matches. Hence, Alonso seems far more like a Barca type of coach (I know he played for Real) than he is Real.
Trent Alexander Arnold is another example - at Leverkusen Alonso had Frimpong who is a runner, works hard, can dribble. Alexander Arnold is more of a crosser and passer from deep who struggles defensively. He doesn't seem the type of up and down the flank full-back or wing-back that Alonso would like.
Ancelotti was never a particularly great tactician. His game was built on being defensive and allowing the output difference makers to shine in moments. Jose and Zidane the same. Alonso seems a bit more complex than that, but I think these players he has there are not the sort of players that suit him to get the best out of his coaching ability.
Honestly, if they weren't such a massive club, he wasn't Spanish, and he hadn't played for them, would we have said he is a good fit for them? I don't think we would.
Honestly, it feels like they have no plan and are just making it up as they go along - signing anyone considered a good player with a big profile. They can still win trophies due to their moments and highlights but they won't dominate teams like PSG (and Barca) do.
The problem Alonso has is he seems to wanna play more like a Klopp or Pep hybrid - lots of high pressing, turns and feints in small spaces, wriggling free and opening up space with ability and movement and turns in tight areas. But can this team do that? In flashes maybe, but not consistently throughout the 90 or throughout numerous matches. Hence, Alonso seems far more like a Barca type of coach (I know he played for Real) than he is Real.
Trent Alexander Arnold is another example - at Leverkusen Alonso had Frimpong who is a runner, works hard, can dribble. Alexander Arnold is more of a crosser and passer from deep who struggles defensively. He doesn't seem the type of up and down the flank full-back or wing-back that Alonso would like.
Ancelotti was never a particularly great tactician. His game was built on being defensive and allowing the output difference makers to shine in moments. Jose and Zidane the same. Alonso seems a bit more complex than that, but I think these players he has there are not the sort of players that suit him to get the best out of his coaching ability.
Honestly, if they weren't such a massive club, he wasn't Spanish, and he hadn't played for them, would we have said he is a good fit for them? I don't think we would.
Honestly, it feels like they have no plan and are just making it up as they go along - signing anyone considered a good player with a big profile. They can still win trophies due to their moments and highlights but they won't dominate teams like PSG (and Barca) do.
FinBarcelonafan
Well-known member
Amazing analysis. I think those are reasons why I think he fails. I don't he wants to play like Ancelotti and that will be his downfall. Like you said, this team currently isnt build for his type of football. Simple as that. They need to change many players, that's for sure.
Maradona37
Well-known member
Thanks. I mean it is just my opinion (as I qualified that with) and I never claim that what I say is right or the truth. But that is definitely the way I see it.
And good extraction of my analysis - the point you picked out most is definitely my main argument there and the crux of it - that he is not suited to their style of play or the style of play of their players. Ironically I think they'd do better with a less 'progressive' coach who played to their constant 'counter attack' stengths. I can see him trying to do things with them that the players don't wanna or can't do.
MonteCuler
Well-known member
This. He's a great coach but I don't think Real would be after him if he wasn't their legend at all
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