Xabi Alonso is returning to Real Madrid with the former midfielder taking over as coach from Carlo Ancelotti and leading the team in the next club World Cup.

Sports Looks at three areas that the 43-year-old Spanish will have to think in the weeks and months ahead as he tries to plot a course towards large trophies, with Los Blancos ending this season with empty hands.

Restoring balance

Alonsois the ancestor Ancelotti He spent most of the season complaining that his team was unbalanced and also lacked “collective engagement”.

In short, the team had many attackers that he felt he had to take on the field, while the injuries left the protection in tattoos and Madrid did not sign someone to replace the midfielder Krooswho retired last summer.

Frenchman Kycian Mbappecoming to the end of it Paris Saint-Germain The contract in 2024 was the big change for a Madrid team that won a Champions League and La Liga Double.

For a while, he and Vinicius junior They tried to play together, occupying the same spaces, and although Mbappe grew up comfortably in the middle, scoring 43 goals in all competitions, their double presence dedicated Madrid in defense.

Alonso should design a way for the couple to work at the same time while still pressing effectively and making sure that Madrid is no greater than when it is on the back leg.

Veteran Modric LukeLeaving behind the club’s World Cup means that Alonso will lose even more ready, technique and wisdom from the midfield.

Ancestry Bayer Leverkusen The coach has mainly used a 3-4-3 lineup which can fit the Madrid squad, especially with the expected coming of Trent Alexander-Arnold BY Liverpool And a deal made already BournemouthS ‘ Dean Huijsen.

Treatment of superstars

If there was a special task of excellent Ancelotti, she was carrying a dressing room full of big names and big happy ego.

Ancelotti managed to get the best from Cristiano Ronaldo, My wife AND Bale Gareth On his first magic at the Santiago Bernabeu and then helped to turn Vinicius into a superstar in his second.

The Italian coach would sometimes be involved in suggestions that he was a good manager of a man, but not a tactical master, but it should not be underestimated how important it is to keep people inside Madrid.

This includes President Florentino Perez, star players, and even the media, all of which Ancelotti treated extremely well.

Alonso has an atmosphere around him that can help in the same way Zedine ZidaneAnother former Madrid player who flourished at the top.

One of the nails in the Ancelotti casket in Madrid was the way his team was dropped against their rivals in all four Clasicos this season.

Barcelona made a 4-0 win in La Liga in October to embarrass Madrid on home and raise a marker on how the season would go.

Their 4-3 victory in the League’s return match was the one that effectively destroyed Madrid and returned the Spanish crown to Catalonia – and the result could be wider without being unfair to Los Blancos.

Barcelona also defeated Real Madrid 3-2 in the Copa Del Rey final and 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final after they finished a threefold local and left Madrid Reeling.

Ancelotti’s side could not afford Hansi Flick’s high defensive line and ruthless oppression, and Alonso will already study German configuration to ensure that Madrid are much better next season in Crunch’s clashes.