Real Madrid closed its participation in the Club World Cup group stage with a solid 3-0 win over RB Salzburg. The result secured a spot in the round of 16 against Juventus. What drew the most attention was when Dean Huijsen approached Rüdiger and said a phrase that sparked headlines.
The gesture that said it all
Dean Huijsen didn't speak to the cameras, but he did speak to his teammates. At the end of the match, he went straight to Antonio Rüdiger. He hugged him, spoke to him seriously, and although there were no microphones nearby, the cameras caught his lips. "It's over, we're going to be three," a short but forceful message.
That exchange wasn't casual; it reflects a structural change the team has been working on. The defense with three center-backs, something Xabi Alonso has been cautiously testing, is no longer an experiment. It has worked and has convinced the main players.
Xabi Alonso takes shape
Xabi Alonso's stamp is starting to show. Although he hasn't been on the white bench for long, the Donostian coach has introduced tactical changes with patience and judgment. One of them, the three center-back line, has been essential in balancing the team.
Against Salzburg, the structure with three center-backs returned to the scene, and this time more clearly. With Huijsen, Rüdiger, and Tchouaméni as pillars, the backline not only defended well, it also allowed the full-backs to push forward more in attack. Everything was more organized, more fluid.
The Basque coach has seen that this system not only delivers results, it also fits the characteristics of his players.
Tchouaméni, the key man
One of the main protagonists of the new system is Aurélien Tchouaméni. Although he isn't a pure center-back, the Frenchman has shown an enormous capacity to adapt. Against Salzburg, he delivered an impeccable performance, especially in the second half.
Xabi Alonso acknowledged it personally: "I know you don't really like being a center-back, but you've done great. Thank you for your commitment."
That's what the club values most: his attitude. He's always available, always giving his best, even if it's not in his ideal position. That versatility could make him a permanent piece for the team's immediate future.
A new Real Madrid
The Madrid that reaches the round of 16 isn't the same as the one that started the tournament. It has more maturity, more tactical options, and a defense that's starting to be secured by three names: Rüdiger, Huijsen, and Tchouaméni.
Huijsen's phrase wasn't just a comment among teammates. It was a statement of intent: the four-man backline is over. From now on, the team is betting on a three-man defense and, judging by the results, it seems like a wise decision.