Xabi Alonso is wanted, but Real Madrid remains the same (and it can't be a surprise)

It had been 25 days since Real Madrid's last match . On that occasion, Carlo Ancelotti bid farewell to the Santiago Bernabéu with a lackluster finale against Real Sociedad. On a hot Miami afternoon, Xabi Alonso made his debut , his first official match in the club's historic debut at the Club World Cup. The Tolosar native had ten days to prepare for the match, including a trip to the United States, and just seven training sessions. And, to no one's surprise, Madrid displayed few of its virtues and many of its wounds , still openly bleeding.

There's something that obsesses Xabi Alonso. Identity. Finding football, his football . Connecting with the fans through a recognizable style of play. Can that be done in ten days? It seems difficult. If the Real Madrid player recognized anything, it was the lackluster team that had been so boring in the final months of the Carletto era. The former Bayer Leverkusen player knew the difficulty of the challenge when he took over. In the press room, he asked for patience. "There's no frustration, we need time."

The match against Al-Hilal, theoretically the biggest threat in the group, leaves everything open for the round of 16 with a 1-1 draw. Mexican side Pachuca and Austrian side Salzburg are Real Madrid's remaining opponents in the group stage . Kylian Mbappé, who was ruled out for the opening match of the season due to a fever, should be available for the match against the Americans next Sunday. Gonzalo , a youth product, played in the number nine position and celebrated the goal—a failed shot that still feels good if it went in.

The Club World Cup , without even a week of matches, has turned out to be what we all thought it would be: a minor tournament, lacking competitive pace and prestige to achieve. A fortune in prize money, yes, but the players have accumulated more than 60 matches under their belts, and that money doesn't alleviate their weariness. Jude Bellingham stands out from a weary crowd.

The Briton walks around the pitch completely disconnected . His quality on the ball doesn't hide the fact that if Madrid is missing two competitive gears, he's completely at a standstill. Alonso wants him to be his playmaker, but his necessary surgery for his shoulder problem , along with a good rest, seem like the first step toward Bellingham's return to his best.

Xabi started with an exact copy of Ancelotti's classic 4-3-3 formation, or at least that's how the spectators felt. It didn't work . Raúl Asencio drew a silly, but harsh, penalty. The youth product showed signs of fatigue and a decline in form in the final stretch of the season and, in the US, was the worst player on the defense. In fact, the Tolosa-born coach substituted him to get the team moving in the second half (he would later explain that he was struggling with fitness issues).

He held back Tchouaméni and Valverde, who were at times embedded in the three-man defensive line, and handed the team's baton to Arda Guler. Flashes of good football came from the Turkish midfielder . In the second half, the ball remained Madrid's property. There was a significant lack of dynamism, but the tactical change improved the team's image. "We were faster, we had possession, I liked it much more," Alonso asserted.

The name that comes out of Hard Rock Stadium the most is Dean Huijsen . Real Madrid's ball-playing game has been greatly enhanced by his signing . Self-confidence and daring, even when a pass went awry. His creativity from the front line shows that the Malaga native has not only been well received by Xabi, but will be a key part of his team. To improve: a self-confidence that almost cost him a few tricks.

The other debutant, Trent Alexander-Arnold , was discreet. He was full of desire but lacked certainty . He was one of Xabi's first changes. Dani Carvajal is waiting for his chance after his serious injury, as Lucas Vázquez , in his final weeks as a Real Madrid player, came off the bench. The Englishman, for the moment, is ahead.

Among the team's woes, on the other hand, two Brazilians stand out again: Rodrygo and Vinícius. The former barely has anything to say about it. Another forgettable match for the winger, with rumors swirling about the signing of Franco Mastantuono for his position . Several clubs are keeping an eye on his situation, despite Alonso deciding to give him a chance in the US tournament.

Perhaps more worrying is Vini's situation. In terms of attitude, the Real Madrid No. 7 asked for it and tried much harder than his compatriot. But, as has been going on for months, nothing has worked out. Alonso has been told that bringing back the star is essential to Real Madrid's club project, with a renewal that has been imminent for two months... and still hasn't been finalized.

Inzaghi does have time to his advantage

Filippo Inzaghi, who less than a month ago was playing in the Champions League final against PSG , led the Saudis as one of the highest-paid coaches in the world. €26 million isn't a bad consolation prize. Al-Hilal has an illustrious trophy cabinet , being the most successful club in the region. One of those was having Neymar Jr. play 428 minutes at a salary of €100 million a year. Not a bad thing.

Beyond the Brazilian misdeed, Inzagi's team demonstrated their seriousness in the game , driven by their captain, Salem Al-Dawsari. The Saudi was a headache for both Trent and Lucas Vázquez, the two players who occupied the right flank. Moroccan Yassine Bono's brilliant save—he was a superb goalkeeper when he left Sevilla two years ago , and he still is—from Valverde's erratic penalty sparked a real celebration for the Saudis. A draw with Real Madrid deserved a celebration.