Alonso’s Madrid Revolution: Why Mbappe and Vinicius Jr Must Now Defend or Sit

New Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso demands a pressing shift as he sets new standards for his Galácticos

There’s a new sheriff in town at the Santiago Bernabéu, and his name is Xabi Alonso. No stranger to elite football or the highest tactical standards, Alonso has wasted no time making his mark at Real Madrid. The Club World Cup might be a tournament with lower stakes than La Liga or the Champions League, but Alonso is using it as a proving ground — not just to win matches, but to redefine the very culture of how his team plays.

And the message is loud and clear: if you don’t defend, you don’t play. Yes, that applies even to Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr.

A Bold New Era: Alonso Sets the Tone

Speaking to the media ahead of Madrid’s final Club World Cup group stage clash against Red Bull Salzburg in Philadelphia, Alonso didn’t mince his words.

“What I’m clear about is that we all have to defend,” the 42-year-old said, firmly. “All 11 have to be involved. Without that… Vini, Jude, Fede, Kylian, the defence. The shorter we are, the better.”

In Alonso’s system, there are no passengers. Whether you’re a Ballon d’Or hopeful or a backup full-back, your responsibilities without the ball matter as much as your brilliance with it. The era of luxury attackers strolling back while others cleaned up their mess? That may have flown under Carlo Ancelotti, but not anymore.

Mbappe & Vinicius Jr: A Defensive Wake-Up Call

Mbappe

For all their dazzling skill and individual numbers, Mbappe and Vinicius have often come under fire for their lack of defensive discipline. Under Ancelotti, the Italian maestro famously allowed Mbappe to focus solely on attacking output, even saying at one point that he didn’t care much if his star forwards didn’t press.

Alonso, however, comes from a different school. A disciple of high-pressing, high-discipline football — born from his time under Rafael Benitez, Pep Guardiola, and later coaching in Germany — he demands collective responsibility. For Vinicius Jr, who has already begun adapting in training according to Alonso, the change is already in motion. For Mbappe, still easing his way back from a stomach bug and yet to feature in the tournament, the expectation is looming.

If he’s to thrive under Alonso, he’ll need to show more than just his trademark acceleration and clinical finishing. He’ll have to press, track back, and engage in the gritty, thankless work that defines champions.

A Team Ethos Over Star Power

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Alonso’s strategy is simple on paper: defend together, win together. It’s about structure and unity — about shrinking the space between lines and suffocating opponents before they can build up momentum. That requires buy-in from every single player, especially those in forward positions who initiate the press.

This isn’t a slight against Madrid’s stars; it’s a demand for more. And with players like Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde setting the tone with tireless two-way performances, there’s already a culture shift underway.

“I see the group eager to learn, wanting to do things well,” Alonso said. “They’re top players and they pick up concepts quickly.”

That bodes well. Alonso isn’t here to stifle his players’ creativity — he’s here to elevate the group through collective responsibility.

Club World Cup: A Testing Ground with High Stakes

Despite the Club World Cup traditionally flying under the radar compared to UEFA’s premier competitions, Alonso isn’t treating this as a pre-season exercise. With Real Madrid already beating Pachuca despite going down to 10 men, they now face Salzburg with a clear objective: win and finish first in Group H.

“We have two objectives,” Alonso said. “The first is to win and finish top. The second is to do it with 11 players.”

That last comment — about staying disciplined and avoiding cards — was a nod to the chaos of Madrid’s last outing. It also hints at Alonso’s attention to detail and desire to shape not only the team’s structure but also its emotional intelligence and decision-making.

Mbappe’s Return: A Delicate Balance

Mbappe, of course, remains Madrid’s most high-profile summer signing — a player with 43 goals last season and the star attraction of the Bernabéu project. But his integration will be carefully managed. After being hospitalised with a stomach illness, the Frenchman has resumed training, but may still be rested for the Salzburg clash.

In his absence, the team is learning to function as a unit. When he returns, he’ll be expected to slot into that system seamlessly. Alonso may admire Mbappe’s magic, but he’s made it crystal clear: no one is exempt from the rules. Even the most prolific forward in world football must carry his weight off the ball.

From Galácticos to Grit

This is the start of something different in Madrid. Under Ancelotti, the club often relied on moments of brilliance and sheer individual quality to carry them through tough games. That approach worked — to a point. But Alonso, shaped by a Bundesliga mentality and steeped in positional discipline, is building a more modern machine.

That doesn’t mean turning Real Madrid into a soulless pressing monster. It means sharpening the team’s edges, ensuring they’re not just beautiful, but ruthless and relentless.

With Mbappe and Vinicius Jr now being challenged to evolve, the team may be on the cusp of a transformation — one that could carry them not just to success at the Club World Cup, but into a new European era of dominance.

A Culture Shift Underway

For now, eyes turn to Philadelphia, where Madrid will look to secure top spot in their group and book a favourable route into the Club World Cup knockout rounds. Whether or not Mbappe features, the focus remains on structure, discipline, and unity.

Xabi Alonso isn’t just coaching games — he’s redefining the Real Madrid ethos. And if Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe want to be at the heart of this project, they’ll need to do more than just dazzle.

They’ll need to defend.