Ancelotti often said that he focused on defensive work because, with the kind of attacking talent that Real Madrid usually has, insult was never so urgent. Xabi Alonso does not go that far, but after the 0–3 victory in Oviedo he made it clear: this new Madrid will be built from the ground, starting with the defense.
“We won balls at the back and moved them forward. We have been very solid, with a strong team spirit. There is a collective mentality – we play together, with a good distance. That is what misses the entire season.” For Alonso, defending is everyone's task, everywhere on the field. Even the star star is not exempt: “Mbappé looks great. I think it's great when I see him make those runs,” the coach added.
With attack, progress is slower – but it is there. Madrid is second (67%, behind only the 76%of Barcelona), with 42 total shots (including blocked efforts), 14 on goal and four goals in two games. They were more careful against Osasuna, but in El Tartiere, against Osasuna, they registered ten shots on goal; Only the inspired version of Escandell prevented a larger score.
However, where Alonso's Madrid really stands out, is in defense. Two games, two clean sheets and especially a level of control and urgent intensity that has not been seen in this team for a long time.
So far, only two parties have remain unbeaten at the back: Villarreal, the current League leaders and Madrid. Nevertheless, the Alonso team also allowed the least shots in general- only eight, compared to the twelve of Villarreal and Barcelona. On goal they have only confronted three, less than real Sociedad (five), Barcelona (six) and Villarreal (six).
But what this Madrid really separates from the Ancelotti era is their urgent. The Italian openly admitted that he did not think the team could maintain for 90 minutes, so he often trusted a low block. Xabi wants to change that, and the figures support him: Madrid leads the competition in opportunities in the opposition half (84), well before the second place Barcelona (61).
The players themselves emphasize the difference. Tchouaméni, centrally in the press as the bridge between defense and midfield, explained: “We have found a good balance between attack and defense. The key is now to win back the ball as high as possible, so that we can create opportunities. Not everything is perfect, but we improve.
Courtois also feels the benefits from his viewpoint in the goal – he has only confronted three saves in two games: “We press high, so the opponent is forced to play for a long time. Then the defense will win if I work well. It works of course, if they break the press, they can come across, but we all follow back.”
And everyone follows – as Alonso has already noticed with Mbappé. In this side of Madrid, everyone who does not want to sacrifice for the collective will struggle to fit in. Alonso lays the foundation of something bigger – perhaps the start of future success.