Playing with fire and burning yourself? The three central defenders have great risks in testing, and Alonso may make Real Madrid continue to sink!

According to the well-known Spanish media "Marca", after Xavi Alonso takes over Ancelotti's coaching stick, he will bring his iconic three-center-back formation (343/3421), which means a huge challenge for Real Madrid players who are already accustomed to the four-guard formation.

Three central defenders, young coach's label

In the middle of the 2022/23 season, when Xavi Alonso returned to the Bundesliga from Real Sociedad B, Leverkusen had already fallen to near the Bundesliga relegation zone, and the morale of the whole team was sluggish. Alonso first started by improving the players' physical fitness, reducing rotations while creating a three-center-back formation with stable structure and outstanding integrity. In this 3421 switch 5221 architecture, Grimaldo, Flynnpon, Inkapier and Wilz quickly grew into first-class players in their respective positions. Zachar regained his early feelings when he was in the Bundesliga. A healthy competition was formed between Bonifers and Shick, and the Bundesliga championship came from this.

failed three-center-back test, Real Madrid's taboos, from the "five-year and four-champion" period created by Ancelotti and Zidane, to the "double-champion" twice in three years after the Italian entered the palace for the second time, Real Madrid has been working hard in the four-back structure. Zidane played tactical kaleidoscope in the 2016/17 season, but failed in the league twice, and finally gave up this immature "Z Plan".

With the use of the three-center-back system, Real Madrid's strong wing personnel reserves cannot be displayed. The power of the winger is reduced after receiving the middle lane. The poor pressure on the front court has caused the pressure of the three-man in the back court to increase sharply (a guard is reduced). The four young midfielders are highly anticipated, the three-man in the front line are stable, the number of players on the back line is insufficient and the potential for injury is high. The existing configuration of the "Galaxy Phase III" gives people a sense of top-heavyness, which is completely unable to meet the requirements of Xavi Alonso to restart the 3421 formation (center of gravity rear).

The two "newcomers" brought hope, and the summer window signing became the key

With the rise of Raul Asensio and the joining of Arnold, two players appeared in Real Madrid's backcourt who could play a role in the three-center-back system. However, considering the lack of personnel reserves in the central defender position, Ferran Mendy, Garcia and Camavenga are not suitable candidates for the left wingback. If Xavi Alonso wants to replicate the 3421 formation, at least Real Madrid's uniform team needs to bring him two new players (left wingback and central defender).

implements the three-center-back formation, and Alonso's biggest challenge comes from the locker room and training ground.

Last season, Ancelotti created an unbalanced 442 formation. Vinicius and Rodrigo have become familiar with the swaying style of the side and middle, and Mbappe has also mastered the ability to control multiple positions in the process of changing to the center. Real Madrid's existing tridents can play a role in the 3421 formation, and they need to improve their running and pressurization capabilities to relieve pressure on the backcourt players, waiting for Xavi Alonso's biggest challenge may not be within 90 minutes, but in the training ground and in the locker room.