The “what if” era of Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid has officially come to a close, and we are finally starting to get the full picture of what went wrong behind the scenes. Despite a statistically respectable run, the Spaniard’s tenure will be remembered more for tactical rigidity and a strained relationship with the club’s biggest star: Vinicius Jr.
In a candid press conference, Vini Jr. didn’t hold back when discussing the difficulties he faced under the former Bayer Leverkusen mastermind.
“I played matches, but only a few minutes. Every coach has their own methods, and I didn’t connect the way he [Xabi] wanted,” Vini admitted. “Still, it was a learning experience, and I hope I can continue with Arbeloa, with whom I have a wonderful connection.”
The Tactical Misstep: Vini at Wing-Back?
The core of the issue appeared to be Alonso’s insistence on his signature 3-4-2-1 system. While the formation turned Leverkusen into Bundesliga champions, it felt like a square peg in a round hole at the Bernabéu.
To accommodate Kylian Mbappé as the lone striker and a duo of Jude Bellingham and Arda Güler as dual “10s,” Alonso made the controversial decision to deploy Vinicius Jr. as a left wing-back. Tasked with heavy defensive tracking and starting his runs from deep, Vini’s offensive output plummeted, leading to uncharacteristic substitutions and a reported freeze on his contract renewal negotiations.
The Midfield Void
It wasn’t all on Xabi’s personality, however. The board’s refusal to grant his transfer requests played a massive role:
- The Modric Factor: Xabi pleaded for Luka Modric to stay as the team’s “metronome,” but the front office moved on.
- Missing Playmaker: A request for a new creative midfielder was denied, with the board expecting Camavinga or Bellingham to fill the void.
- System Over Players: Ultimately, Xabi tried to force the squad into a rigid structure rather than building around the world-class flair already present in the locker room.
The Arbeloa Resurgence
With Álvaro Arbeloa now at the helm, the atmosphere at Valdebebas has shifted instantly. Vini Jr. was quick to highlight the difference in management styles, comparing Arbeloa’s approach to that of Carlo Ancelotti.
“With Arbeloa, I’ve had a special connection… He has always made clear what he wants from me,” Vini noted.
While Alonso finished his stint with an impressive 20 wins in 28 matches, the “imbalance” and the risk of losing Vinicius Jr. proved too high a price for Florentino Pérez. Madridistas are now looking toward a future where the players—not the system—take center stage once again.
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