When a new era begins at a football club, the first impression matters a lot. And when it comes to a club as big as Real Madrid, where millions of eyes are on every move, the journey is going to be challenging for new coach Xabi Alonso. But a stunning 3-0 win against Red Bull Salzburg in Philadelphia, USA, has given Alonso a strong start. This match not only showed the effectiveness of Alonso’s tactics, but the duo of Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior also won everyone’s hearts with their brilliant performances.
In this article, we will highlight 10 key points from this match, which show how Xabi Alonso and his team are slowly moving in a new direction.
Xabi Alonso’s structural approach
If Real Madrid is to succeed under Alonso, they will have to adopt his structure-based approach. Alonso has always been a coach who believes in balance and discipline. His 3-5-2 strategy in this match clearly shows that he wants to give a new direction to the team – in which the role of every player is clear and there is coordination throughout the game.
Bellingham and Vinicius shine
The pair of Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior caught the most attention in the match. Both players together created a brilliant goal. Bellingham played slightly back and made an amazing assist which Vinicius turned into a goal awesomely. These were not only technically brilliant moments, but also very exciting moments to the audience.
The magic of star power
Sometimes it seems that there would have been no need for the Club World Cup if only Real Madrid had visited America and just registered their presence in the stadium. When Bellingham came on the field an hour before the match and waved to the audience, the entire stadium echoed. This proves that the audience does not come to see the game, but also their stars.
Shadow of Carlo Ancelotti
Although the team now belongs to Alonso, it is also worth noting that the influence of previous coach Carlo Ancelotti is still felt. He always believed in giving players a chance to shine, and it seems that Alonso is also carrying forward that thinking. Giving spotlight to star players is both a strategy and a way to engage the audience.
Change in team structure
Alonso caught everybody unawares in this game as he used the 3-5-2 format. This shape does not only enhance the defense line, but also advances the midfield. The consequence of this was that the team performance was more organized and even as compared to previously. Madrid’s control was excellent even against a fast team like Salzburg.
Top position in Group H
With this win, Real Madrid has reached the top of Group H. The biggest advantage of this is that the team has now escaped from a dangerous team like Manchester City in the first knockout match. This will give him time to strengthen himself further in the next stage.
Bellingham’s new role
In this match, Bellingham was seen in a slightly defensive role, but he displayed his creativity and imagination brilliantly even in that. He not only played a defensive role, but also attacked forward whenever he got the opportunity. Such a player is any coach’s dream.
Vinicius’ goal and confidence
Vinicius Junior also demonstrated that he is not merely a fast winger but also the player who can make a choice in a crucial moment. He made an incredible goal on the pass of Bellingham and throughout the game, he put pressure on the defense of the other team.. His presence poses a threat to the defense every time.
Juventus’ worries increased
In the next match, Juventus will face Real Madrid, and looking at this performance against Salzburg, it is justified for Juventus to worry. Real’s strategy, form and confidence are all at their peak now. Alonso’s team looks ready for any challenge.
Is it time to add Mbappe now?
At the end of the match, a question arose again – will Alonso now have to make room for Mbappe in his strategy? If a superstar like Kylian Mbappe is included along with stars like Bellingham and Vinicius, then this team can become the most dangerous team not only in Europe but in the world.
Conclusion
This performance of Real Madrid is not just a victory, but a successful start to the Xabi Alonso era. The team saw a great mix of discipline, balance and star power. Bellingham and Vinicius shows that when the strategy is correct, even these two guys can alter the flow of any game. It will be exciting to know how Alonso manages to maintain his players and whether he would be capable of adding a such superstar as Mbappe to this mix as they go deeper into the tournament.
May 12, 2025