Real Madrid have won all 8 matches in all competitions since the beginning of this season, before being destroyed by Atletico with a score of 2-5 away. It was considered the most difficult match for Xabi Alonso and his team and Los Blancos who lost miserably.
Since then, Real Madrid have had 3 more matches and won all 3 but their opponents are not strong. Therefore, after facing Juventus tonight in the Champions League, Kylian Mbappe and his teammates will face a real big challenge, Barcelona, at the weekend.
From today until the end of next week, Real Madrid will face Juventus, Barcelona and Liverpool. These are all big opponents, an opportunity to prove the true ability of the Bernabeu team. If he can successfully overcome this stage, Alonso can be more confident in setting a title goal.
From 2014 to 2024, Real Madrid have won the Champions League 6 times. That is clear evidence for Los Blancos to prove their European No. 1 worth. Since then, many players have come and gone and only Dani Carvajal (33 years old) has witnessed that period (since 2014).
After winning the championship in 2024, there are 5 more veterans leaving the team: Toni Kroos, Joselu, Nacho Fernandez, Luka Modric and Lucas Vazquez. Among them, there are some who are not big stars but they are still Champions League champions, which not many current players in the Real Madrid squad have that DNA. Therefore, the bravery and class of the stars in Alonso's hands are doubted.
Last season, Xabi Alonso ended his successful tenure with Bayer Leverkusen to join Real Madrid. Many viewers commented that the Spanish strategist left a best dressing room in Europe at BayArena to move to a place with many complexities at the Bernabeu. A Real Madrid first-team player shared with The Athletic in May: "Let's see if he dares to step into this crazy house or not? ".
Alonso has dared to do it and is doing well from training sessions with the players. Previously, the team was used to having the coach (Carlo Ancelotti) not directly participate in the ball on the training ground. Now, Alonso has shown directly, no different from a teammate to the players with his complete skill set.
The five players who arrived at the Bernabeu this summer include Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alvaro Carreras, Franco Mastantuono, Gonzalo Garcia and Dean Huijsen, who have averaged under 22 years. They are not the leader of old clubs like Kylian Mbappe. Therefore, as Alonso has considered this group a new pillar, he must turn them into true leaders on the pitch, at least in their assigned positions in the formation.
From the 0-4 loss to PSG at the FIFA Club World Cup to the 2-5 result against Atletico Madrid, Alonso realized that there were many things that had not been brought together in the current squad. Two times is enough for Real Madrid not to fall into that disastrous scenario again, at least in the context that they are still holding the top spot in La Liga and advancing to the Champions League.
The match against Juventus that is not too strong tonight will be the first test, before Real Madrid face Barcelona this weekend. More than ever, Real Madrid's mettle needs to be shown immediately.
