2nd 25/26 Xabi Alonso Possible Tactic with Real Madrid

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In this article, I will discuss 2nd 25/26 Xabi Alonso Possible Tactic with Real Madrid, which is the 3-4-2-1. In the previous article, I mentioned that Alonso might use two tactics, which are:

4-4-2 Diamond Tactic

3-4-2-1 Tactic

I believe Xabi Alonso might use a 3-4-2-1 tactic, as we all know that was the tactic that brought him success during his time at Bayer Leverkusen. Due to that fact, Alonso might implement it in this Real Madrid, even though I think the Real Madrid squad might be comfortable with a back-4 system rather than a back-3 system. With no further ado, let’s get into the details of the tactic.

2nd 25/26 Xabi Alonso Possible Tactic | Tactical Setups

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In Possession

Real Madrid shall play out of defence most of the time. During the build-up phase, Huijsen and Rudiger spread inside the box, while Alvaro Carrares and Alexander Arnold will stay at the flanks. Tchouamnei sits outside the box while Valverde and Guler will form double pivots above him.

In the approach play, Alonso’s men will focus their plays through the middle rather than through the sides of the field. Real Madrid will aim to dominate the possession of the game, with their shorter passing directness at a slightly higher tempo ball movement. Lastly, as they approach the final third, Los Blancos will look for overlaps on both sides of the field.

In Transition

Their attacking width during transition will be fairly narrow. During attacks, Alvaros Carrares and Arnold will stay wider. Tchouameni will leave the back-3 and move to the DM positions, which will make Valverde and Guler push further during attacks. Vini will operate wider and sometimes centrally, while Bellingham operated centrally. Mbappe, during the attacks, will drop deep from his position or drift to the flanks.

Real Madrid will also go for counterattacks on the break. In the final third, Alonso’s men will work the ball into the opposition box often. Lastly, Los Blancos will counterpress to win back possession when they lose it. Courtois will distribute the ball either quickly or after slowing the pace down, to the centre defender, by rolling it down to the centre defenders.

Out Of Possession

They will defend in a 5-2-3 in this version. The pressing intensity will also be more often, their line of engagement will be higher, while the defensive line will be much higher. The defenders will step up the defensive line to compress the opposition half, which helps them to recover the ball easily.

Los Blancos will defend compactly, to trap opponents’ forwards outside rather than inside. Lastly, the wing-backs dropped to close down the opponent’s crosses into the box.

Formation Lineup

Role Selections

Here I will talk about players with different roles from the first version.

CDs

The back-3 is likely to be Huijsens, Tchouameni and Rudiger.

Tchouameni will be a libero on defence duty. He will move to the midfield and hold his position when the team is in the attacking phase, like a normal defensive midfielder. Then, during the defensive phase of the game, he will return to the central defensive position.

Huijsen will be a ball-playing defender on defence duty. He will stay within the defensive line to carry out his defensive duties. Huijsen is fantastic with the ball, and this will help the team to break up the pressing lines of the opposition.

Rudiger will be a wide centre-back on support duty. He will stay wide to cover the right side of the defence in case of counter-attacks. Rudiger will also act as an extra right fullback during attacks. He also crosses the ball often from deep.

WBs

Alvaro Carrares and Alexander-Arnold will be wing-backs on support duties. They will support the team during attacks by providing extra width on both flanks. They run at the markers at the flanks and put crosses into the box. Alexander-Arnold also play risky passes which turn the defence into attacks, like he normally does.

AMs

The starting attacking midfielders will be Jude Bellingham and Vinicius. Vinicius Junio will be more like a trequartista. During the attacks, he may drift to the left side and cut inside from there into the final third. Vinicius can also operate centrally and create chances for the team.

Jude Bellingham will be an attacking midfielder on support duty. He will operate centrally and fashion chances for himself or the team in the final third. Jude will drop deeper to help the team either in maintaining possession or in the defensive phase.