Xabi Alonso Vows To Let Real Madrid’s Performance Speak As La-Liga Campaign Kicks Off.
Real Madrid’s new manager, Xabi Alonso, has pledged to focus on results rather than rhetoric as he prepares to lead the Spanish giants into their 2025-26 LaLiga season opener against Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday, 19 August 2025. The former Bayer Leverkusen boss, a beloved figure among Madridistas for his trophy-laden playing career, steps into the role with high expectations to revive a team that ended the previous season without a major trophy.
Alonso, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti after a trophyless 2024-25 campaign, addressed the media on Monday, emphasising his pragmatic approach. “I’m more about doing than talking,” he told reporters. “Making promises before you act doesn’t usually work in football. We want to start down that path tomorrow and bring that energy to the stadium to earn the fans’ support.” His comments come after a challenging start to his tenure, with Real Madrid suffering a 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals last month, a result that highlighted tactical adjustments needed for the season ahead.
The 43-year-old Spaniard, who guided Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga title and German Cup double in 2023-24, has bolstered Real’s squad with key defensive signings to address last season’s vulnerabilities, which saw the team concede 84 goals across all competitions. England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, arriving from Liverpool, joins Bournemouth’s 20-year-old Spanish centre-back Dean Huijsen and Benfica’s left-back Álvaro Carreras. “It’s great competition for the players, and I love that we have two who can play in each position,” Alonso said, noting the return of defender Dani Carvajal, who is recovering from an ACL injury, to the squad.
Alonso’s tactical vision, honed during his time at Leverkusen, emphasizes defensive solidity and collective pressing, even from star forwards like Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Jr. “We need everyone to defend – the 11 players on the pitch have to be involved,” he stated during the Club World Cup, addressing concerns about Mbappé and Vinícius Jr.’s off-the-ball work. The manager is also giving opportunities to young talents like Turkish playmaker Arda Güler, who is expected to take on a more prominent role with Jude Bellingham sidelined until mid-October due to shoulder surgery.
The former midfielder, who won multiple titles with Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Spain, also backed the club’s opposition to a proposed LaLiga match between Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami on 20 December. Real Madrid have warned that the fixture, approved by the Spanish Football Federation, could disrupt competitive balance and have vowed to petition UEFA, US Soccer, CONCACAF, and FIFA to block it. “I very much agree with the club’s statement,” Alonso said. “If the rules are to be changed, it must be by unanimous agreement of all the participants in the league.”
Despite a shortened pre-season, with only one friendly played due to the team’s Club World Cup commitments, Alonso dismissed excuses. “It would have been nice to have more preparation time, especially for the players’ health, but that’s that,” he said. With a squad valued at over €1.6 billion, including new signing Franco Mastantuono, who joins after turning 18, Alonso is under pressure to deliver silverware. Fans are optimistic, with local supporter Javier Ruiz expressing confidence: “Xabi’s a winner. His mentality will bring back the glory days.”
As Real Madrid face Osasuna, who come into the match with six warm-up games under their belt, Alonso’s focus is on starting strong. “We’re eager to step onto the Bernabéu pitch and get off to a good start,” he said. With a demanding season ahead, including clashes against rivals Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, Alonso’s blend of tactical discipline and emotional connection with the club could prove key to restoring Real Madrid’s dominance in Spain and Europe.