Real Madrid has taken a step forward in the Club World Cup. So far, it has played four matches, with three victories and only one draw. Its performance is "in crescendo," playing better and better and leaving a great impression. Despite having won only 1-0 against Juventus, the reality is that the result could have been much higher. Paco González, host of "COPE," has spoken about it, praising one figure in particular.
Paco González, forceful
Speaking about Xabi Alonso, Paco González was clear: "He's very good. There's a coach. I'm not just saying it because of the decisions he makes and the risks he takes, like keeping Gonzalo or playing Güler. Besides making the decisions of a coach about how he wants them to play, for me today Madrid won as a team. Because it's one thing to beat Salzburg 3-0 and another to deserve to beat Juventus 4-0."
In this regard, he continued: "I'm used to seeing Real Madrid win thanks to its individual talents like Vinicius, or Cristiano Ronaldo, or Pepito or someone else... All this isn't against Ancelotti, but this one's more modern, it's what's expected from Madrid, to dominate matches, to press high."
Finally, he concluded: "He does it without individual talents, because neither Vinicius nor Rüdiger are at their best, there are many who are quite far from their form. For me, my headline is that 'there's a coach and he's very good'."
Xabi Alonso changes everything
Xabi Alonso's arrival on Real Madrid's bench marks the beginning of a new era at the white club. At 43 years old, the coach from Tolosa has shown he's ready to take on one of the most demanding challenges in world soccer. His successful spell at Bayer Leverkusen, where he turned the team into a benchmark for play and competitiveness, has been the best introduction for landing at Santiago Bernabéu.
Xabi Alonso is a modern coach who combines tactical rigor with an offensive mindset. He bets on purposeful possession, coordinated pressing, and play between the lines, values that fit with Madrid's historic DNA. In addition, he stands out for his ability to read matches and to get the most out of his players, especially young talents.
There is maximum trust in his project at the club. He knows the house, has authority, and understands the demands of the badge. His profile as a natural leader and his experience as an elite player give him an authority respected by the squad.
Madrid is betting on the future with Xabi Alonso, trusting that his vision and style will return the team to the top of Europe.