Xabi Alonso’s meticulous approach is already reshaping daily life at Real Madrid City. The coach wants to have everything under control — at least everything within his reach. From training sessions to the smallest details of everyday life, nothing escapes his attention. His philosophy is clear: organize, supervise, and anticipate. In his view of football, success is built on the invisible details, and while he cannot predict what players are thinking, he ensures every other aspect is tightly managed.

Modern football provides advanced tools to complement a coach’s clinical eye. In their first training sessions in Palm Beach, Alonso’s staff used drones, thermal cameras, and GPS tracking systems, collecting the first sets of physical data as players returned from vacation. These technologies are crucial for improving tactical positioning and preventing injuries. “Video will make us better,” Alonso assured, recalling methods he successfully implemented during his stellar spell at Bayer Leverkusen.

For Alonso, tactical order and spatial awareness are key. “Distance and positioning will make us better. Knowing where we need to be, positioning ourselves, and being a closer team. The shorter we are, the better distances we’ll have,” he explained.

That philosophy has already inspired new innovations in training at Valdebebas. Ahead of the second league fixture, the coaching staff marked and patched pitches 1 and 2 to create zones (thirds, attacking areas, defensive areas, etc.), helping players visualize tactical structures. This method provides clear reference points for organizing both offensive and defensive play, strengthening collective understanding on the pitch.

“For tactical work, line work. They give us direction and references. These are things I’ve used since I started coaching and they help us every day. I’ve always done it that way, and here too,” Alonso reiterated in a press conference.

Through these methods, Xabi Alonso is not only structuring the game and defining roles, but also laying the foundation for the attractive, cohesive football he hopes will ignite Real Madrid fans this season.

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