It's the start of the Alonso era and it's a refreshingly new Real Madrid style of play. First off, the moaning of Madrid's supporters last season about the lack of hardwork in parts of the team has been completely silenced by the new man– Xabi Alonso.
It's the first match and they had a much shorter holiday than every single La Liga team, so in truth this team will only keep getting better.
Note, this is no more a porous team, like in the Ancelloti era. Congrats to the new Madrid!
Then I say another truth. If we must look at Real Madrid using the microscope of their ideal level, then Real Madrid has not signed a coach in keeping with their level. Yep yep,you can save this note.
How?
Real Madrid have always been about the exceptional, both in players and coaches. The record is there for all to see, they seek the best world over.
In this day and time, with the growth of football especially outside Spain, an exceptional coach will certainly not be Xabi Alonso. This is coming from a writer who has studied how Alonso coaches his teams.
A Pep Guardiola for example, won't stand on the touch line with Xabi Alonso and harbour much worries about a loss. Same with a few other teams.
It's on record that each time Madrid goes below it's level in coaching appointments, they get their fingers burnt. Examples are Carlos Queiroz, Solari, Lopetegui.
So there you go. Furthermore Xabi Alonso doesn't have the luxury of the good old Madrid style of having a cluster of players that other teams can only wish they had. They called it, The Galacticos.
Now a Liverpool for example has an Isak(incoming), Salah, Wirtz. That's Galatico level!
An Arsenal has a better defence than Madrid, a defence line we can say is kind of above Madrid level even. No wonder Madrid is eyeing one of them.
Let me not mention two other other champion big teams(and coaches), who are above Alonso.
What I can mention is those sides a bit lower than the very best, like Chelsea, Man United, Newcastle, maybe Bayern. They will give this Madrid a good run for their money. It is also on record that a coaching newbie landed Germany and in his very first year uprooted Alonso's well-drilled Leverkusen side from the summit of the German league and also kicked them out of the CL knockout phase.
Bottomline is, he may comquer Spain, toppling Barcelona, but as for Europe I think he has to queue up behind better teams and managers.
Thanks for reading.
Cheers