Xabi Alonso Takes the Helm at Real Madrid
Xabi Alonso kicked off his tenure as the new manager of Real Madrid on Monday, focusing on preparations for the upcoming Club World Cup. This opportunity comes with heightened expectations from club president Florentino Pérez, who emphasized the significance of the tournament during a club meeting.
Initial Training Challenges
In his inaugural training session held at the Valdebebas training facility, Alonso only had five first-team players available due to several being away on international duty and others sidelined with injuries. To bolster the team’s numbers, Alonso included ten reserve players in the training regimen.
Upcoming Schedule and Expectations
With the squad scheduled to fly to the United States on Saturday, there are only four training sessions left for the team to refine their strategy and cohesion. This season marks a challenging period for Madrid as they aim to secure their first major trophy since 2021.
During his remarks, Pérez expressed ambition regarding the Club World Cup, stating,
“Our aim is always to achieve more. We are eager to compete in the Club World Cup in the United States.”
This reflects the club’s desire to claim their third title of the current season, following triumphs in the European Supercup and the Intercontinental Cup.
Competition Details
In their opening match of the tournament, Real Madrid will face Saudi Pro League champions Al Hilal in Miami on June 18, followed by clashes against Mexico’s Pachuca and Austria’s RB Salzburg in the group stages. To enhance their roster ahead of this vital competition, Madrid has recently added centre-back Dean Huijsen and right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.
There are also ongoing negotiations to secure left-back Álvaro Carreras from Benfica, though he is currently with his club in the United States and unlikely to join Real before the closure of the special transfer window on Tuesday.
