Real Madrid Season Preview – Xabi Alonso has a job on his hands
The Real Madrid faithful is buzzing with a mix of nostalgia and nervous anticipation. Xabi Alonso, the suave midfielder who once orchestrated play for Real Madrid, is back, this time in the dugout. After a trophyless 2024-25 season that left fans grumbling and rivals gloating, the club legend is tasked with steering the Galácticos back to glory. It’s a tall order.
A revamped squad, a packed schedule, and a strengthening Barcelona led by a maturing Lamine Yamal and new signing Marcus Rashford stand in his way. Add in Jude Bellingham’s injury woes and the weight of expectation, and Alonso’s got a proper puzzle to solve. Here’s a deep look at what’s in store for Real Madrid’s 2025-26 season, from the transfer buzz to the tactical tweaks and the battles that’ll define their campaign.
Real Madrid are hungry for glory
Xabi Takes the Managerial Throne
When Carlo Ancelotti packed his bags for Brazil after a mutual parting, it marked the end of an era. The Italian maestro, with 15 trophies, left a legacy that’s tough to follow. Enter Xabi Alonso, announced as the new boss two days later, signing a three-year deal. The 43-year-old Spaniard isn’t just a sentimental pick. His stock soared at Bayer Leverkusen, where he led an unbeaten Bundesliga charge in 2023-24 and reached a Europa League final. Last season’s second-place finish behind Bayern Munich proved he’s no one-hit wonder.
Alonso’s appointment feels like a homecoming with a twist. He knows the Bernabéu’s pressure cooker, having played 236 games for the club, lifting a Champions League and La Liga title. His calm demeanor and tactical nous, honed under mentors like Rafa Benítez and Pep Guardiola, make him a natural fit. But the honeymoon period was short. The FIFA Club World Cup kicked off against Al Hilal on June 18th in Miami, and Real Madrid were off to a good start. That was until they got pummelled 4-0 by a swashbuckling PSG side.
Fans will still be chanting his name, but they’ll expect silverware.
Trent and Transfers
The summer transfer window was a whirlwind, and Real Madrid didn’t mess around. The headline grabber was of course Trent Alexander-Arnold, the scouse wizard, joining on a free transfer with a six-year deal. His arrival is a coup, bringing world-class passing and set-piece magic to the right flank.
Alonso’s already plotting to use him as a wing-back in possession, dropping into a back five when defending, a role that plays to Trent’s strengths while masking his defensive wobbles. Early games have showed his flair, and natural suiting to the Real Madrid white. But whispers of concern linger about his one-on-one defending, a challenge Alonso’s keen to address.
Who’s got the tightest backline on the planet right now? 🌍🛡️
— 365Scores (@365Scores) July 20, 2025
Liverpool? Man City? Barcelona? Real Madrid? PSG? Arsenal?
One thing’s for sure — attackers are sweating 😮💨
Drop your pick 👇 Who’s the real brick wall in football today? pic.twitter.com/R0gQylYGs1
Beyond Trent, the defense got a serious glow-up. Dean Huijsen, a Spanish center-back from Bournemouth, signed a five-year deal, adding youth and physicality. Álvaro Carreras, nabbed from Benfica brings versatility at left-back. And then there’s Franco Mastantuono, an 18-year-old midfielder from River Plate, set to join in August.
On the flip side, the exits hit hard. Luka Modrić, the 39-year-old maestro with 28 trophies, left for AC Milan. Lucas Vázquez, a fan favorite and former captain, departed as a free agent on after 23 trophies. There’s talk of more outgoings, with Rodrygo and David Alaba potentially on the chopping block.
Bellingham’s Shoulder Struggles
Just when Alonso thought he had his midfield sorted, Jude Bellingham’s shoulder threw a spanner in the works. The England star, a talisman since his 2023 move from Borussia Dortmund, underwent shoulder surgery and won’t return until October 2025. It’s a blow. Bellingham’s dynamism, with nine goals and eight assists last season in La Liga, is central to Madrid’s engine room. His absence leaves a gap in both leadership and versatility, especially in Alonso’s preferred 3-4-2-1 setup, where he thrives as a box-to-box midfielder.
The silver lining could be Arda Güler, the Turkish prodigy, who stepped up in the Club World Cup, impressing in a central role. Still, Bellingham’s injury adds pressure to an already tight schedule, with the La Liga opener against Osasuna on August 19 looming. Fans are holding their breath, hoping the squad’s depth can cover until their star man returns.
Battling Barcelona…
Over on the coast, Barcelona are feeling good. After snatching La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup from Madrid’s grasp in 2024-25, they’re not resting on their laurels. Hansi Flick’s side added Marcus Rashford from Manchester United, a signing that’s got Alonso strategizing already. Rashford, likely rotating with Raphinha on the left wing, brings pace and unpredictability.
Then there’s Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s 18-year-old sensation. Fresh off generational season and a 2025 Kopa Trophy nomination, Yamal’s maturing into a world-beater. His flair and goal-scoring nous make him a nightmare for defenses, and with Rashford adding depth, Barcelona’s attack is a serious threat. Madrid’s 4-3 loss in last season’s Clásico, despite Kylian Mbappé’s hat-trick, stings. Alonso knows he’s got to outsmart Flick’s high-pressing system to reclaim bragging rights.
How will Alonso set up Real Madrid tactically?
His 3-4-2-1 formation, a staple from Leverkusen, emphasizes flexibility. In possession, wing-backs like Alexander-Arnold push high, while out of possession, they drop to form a solid back five. It’s a system that lets Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Jr. wreak havoc up top, with the duo expected to form a lethal front two.
Alonso’s already brainstorming ways to maximize their output, possibly using Vini’s dribbling on the leftside and Mbappé’s clinical finishing more centrally.
In midfield, Federico Valverde’s versatility is a godsend, likely anchoring alongside Tchouaméni or Camavinga until Bellingham returns. Alonso’s obsession with video analysis, honed at Leverkusen, will see him drilling players on quick ball recoveries and precise pressing.
Real Madrid Squad Dynamics
This squad is a manager’s dream and nightmare rolled into one. Mbappé, La Liga’s top scorer last season with 31 goals and Real Madrid’s new number 10, is under pressure to deliver trophies, not just stats. Vini Jr., runner-up for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, is a dribbling dynamo. Alonso’s challenge is blending egos while keeping Rodrygo happy, as the Brazilian’s rumored frustration could see him leave.
🚨 Kylian Mbappé didn’t request the iconic No. 10 shirt — Real Madrid made that decision. 👕👑
— 365Scores (@365Scores) July 22, 2025
The club is now expecting record-breaking sales from the new Mbappé 10 jersey. 💰🔥
A new era begins at the Bernabéu… pic.twitter.com/oTlVKENPSJ
In defense, Éder Militão and Antonio Rüdiger form a rock-solid core, but injuries to David Alaba and Ferland Mendy raise questions. Huijsen and Carreras add depth, but it’s Trent’s adaptation that’ll make or break the backline.
Youngsters like Güler, Gonzalo Garcia, and Endrick could be wildcard factors, especially with Alonso’s knack for nurturing talent.
🔥 Real Madrid’s wage bill is WILD!
— 365Scores (@365Scores) July 20, 2025
💸 Mbappé topping the list at €31.3M — more than Camavinga, Tchouaméni & Rodrygo combined!
👑 Galácticos 2.0 isn’t cheap… but will it deliver?
Who’s underpaid? Who’s overpaid? 👀👇 pic.twitter.com/2sr7R9kuQa
Expectations
The Bernabéu faithful are buzzing, but they’re not naive. After last season’s shutout, they’re desperate for silverware. Alonso’s arrival has sparked hope, with his Leverkusen success and Madrid roots earning instant respect. Fans are hyped about Trent’s passing, Mbappé’s goals, and chill guy Huijsen. But there’s caution too. Bellingham’s injury, the tight schedule, and Barcelona’s new-look attack have some biting their nails.
El Clásico will be the ultimate test. Neutralizing Rashford and Yamal while outgunning Flick’s press is no small feat. Alonso’s already plotting, with Trent tasked to lock down the right. If Madrid can start strong in the Club World Cup and carry momentum into La Liga, the fans will be dreaming of a 16th Champions League and a 36th league title. Anything less, and the pressure will mount.
Xabi Alonso’s got a job on his hands, no doubt. A squad brimming with talent, a rival ready to pounce, and a fanbase hungry for success make this a high-stakes gig. His tactical smarts, transfer savvy, and cool-headedness give him a fighting chance. Trent’s arrival, Bellingham’s eventual return, and a youth infusion could make this Madrid side unstoppable, just as Alonso promised. But with Barcelona’s new toys and a relentless schedule, it’s a steep climb. Buckle up, Madridistas. The 2025-26 season is gonna be a wild ride.
By Nicky Helfgott / @NickyHelfgott1 on Twitter
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