The excitement surrounding Xabi Alonso’s appointment as Real Madrid manager was immense, but the early stages of the season are already exposing cracks that could derail another campaign. While Los Blancos remain unbeaten in La Liga with four straight victories, deeper issues within the squad suggest their path to silverware will be far from straightforward.
European Campaign: A Narrow Escape
Real Madrid’s opening European fixture highlighted vulnerabilities that cannot be ignored. Trailing at home against Marseille, the team lost Trent Alexander-Arnold to injury within minutes and had to finish the game with ten men after Dani Carvajal was dismissed. Two Kylian Mbappe penalties secured victory, but the overall performance raised questions rather than answers.
Right-Back Crisis
Defensive depth is emerging as a major concern. With Alexander-Arnold awaiting scan results on a recurring hamstring issue and Carvajal suspended, Alonso is left short of options on the right flank. The summer exit of Lucas Vázquez further complicates matters, leaving Madrid with few natural replacements. Alonso may have to adapt with Federico Valverde as an inverted fullback or shift to a back-three system, potentially leaving them vulnerable in key competitions.
La Liga Form: Strong Results but Fragile Processes
On paper, Madrid’s perfect start to the league paints a picture of dominance. Yet, beneath the surface, game-state volatility and overreliance on late goals are worrying trends. Over the course of a 38-match season, these structural flaws could result in unexpected dropped points, especially if the right-back dilemma lingers.
Overdependence on Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe has been the talisman so far, rescuing Madrid with goals from the penalty spot and set pieces. However, open-play creativity has been lacking. Against lesser opposition, Real’s inability to consistently break down defenses without relying on dead-ball situations may prove costly in the title race.
Lessons from Last Season
The pressure is amplified by the disappointment of last season, where Real Madrid finished without a major trophy. Fans’ patience is running thin, and expectations have skyrocketed. Much depends on Alonso’s tactical solutions and whether Jude Bellingham can return to form following his shoulder surgery.
Real Madrid undeniably possess world-class talent, but unless defensive stability and structured chance creation improve, the club risks another trophy-less year. The warning signs are flashing early, and the challenge for Alonso will be whether he can address them before the campaign slips away.