According to TA reporters Dermot Corrigan and Mario Cortegana, Real Madrid's new coach Xavi Alonso has brought a brand new training method to the team, and this move has also brought a brand new atmosphere to the team.
Before leading the team to the United States to participate in the Club World Cup, Alonso only conducted a few training games in Madrid. Therefore, training in the United States can be seen as the official beginning of Alonso's team.
Some observers commented that Alonso's training intensity seemed to be greater than when Ancelotti was advised. The Italian coach spends most of his time watching on the sidelines, and Alonso will always give guidance among the players. Previously, Alonso's coaching Real Sociedad B and Leverkusen's players said in an interview that Alonso would train with them. Grimaldo told TA in 2024: "Alonso's physical condition is still very good and he can still play."
Alonso and the coaching staff have been constantly emphasizing to the players that every detail of each training is crucial and encourages details worthy of recognition. On the contrary, when the players are not focused, Alonso is less happy. He is never afraid to criticize players who are underperforming in training to make sure they know it is unacceptable.
Under Alonso's leadership, the most significant changes in Real Madrid's training are reflected in warm-up and physical training. These aspects have been under the responsibility of Pintus in the past few seasons. His old-fashioned training methods include long-distance running to enhance physical fitness. And under the leadership of new physical fitness coach Carmen Ford Lopez, each physical fitness training is designed to help the team cope with specific game situations. This makes training more fun, but it also means that players must always maintain a high level of concentration.
Alonso also often uses videos to guide the player to know what he wants them to do. Each training is shot with a drone, while analysts record every game from a height of the stadium.
The biggest question is how the Galaxy battleship will respond to the new coach's requirements. Coaches who pay attention to details and micro-manage training have always been difficult to gain recognition from Real Madrid's locker room. Both Ancelotti and Zidane have shown flexibility in empowering important players to make independent decisions, leading the team to win the Champions League championship many times.
Alonso told reporters on the eve of the Club World Cup: "I respect and attach great importance to Carlo (Ancelotti)'s work, but now we are entering a new stage. The team has a good foundation, but we will act in our own way. We will correct some problems and make the team better."
Real Madrid goalkeeper Courtois said after drawing Riyadh New Moon 1-1 with the first game: "We have been playing for Ancelotti for four years. It is not possible to change according to the requirements of the new coach. We are working hard to watch the video and communicate a lot, and the situation will get better and better."
In the game against Pachuca, Real Madrid, which had a long 10-man battle, finally won 3-1. Bellingham said: "It's great to be able to learn like Alonso. We will absorb everything like a sponge." In the third game, Alonso changed the formation to 352, Real Madrid defeated Salzburg Red Bull 3-0, and qualified in the group. Vinicius, who contributed the pass, said after the game: "Alonso is here with new ideas and he is introducing us little by little. The two weeks have been very good, and we have gradually gained confidence and tried to understand what he wants as soon as possible."
A source close to a veteran Real Madrid player told TA that the team is impressed by the new coach and coaching staff, especially the new "optimism" and "positive" messages they convey.
Another person with the source doubts whether such high intensity and detailed training can last for a long time, especially whether the stars can "humble" to accept all Alonso's ideas.
But by far, even the most famous players in Real Madrid seem to fully agree with the new coach's demands for them.
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