Galaxy Battleship 3.0 analysis: Alonso s three central defenders + Guillail s rise, and the Rodrigo era ended?

The dreams of some Real Madrid fans have finally come true. Ancelotti, who has been criticized for tactical decision-making recently, is about to leave office, and Xavi Alonso takes over the leadership. Regardless of the result, An Shuai is destined to say goodbye as a legend, but major changes before the 2025/26 season are imperative. The new coach will lead the team to a new era, let us deeply explore the expectations of this cooperation and the possible appearance of the new version of the "Galaxy Battleship".

Alonso planned the "tactical revolution" - turning to the three-center-back system

At first, Real Madrid's logic of hiring Alonso was puzzling. The current lineup does not seem to match the style he praised when he took charge of Leverkusen, which has caused doubts from the outside world. Two concerns arise:

1. Alonso may be forced to give up his usual formation to accommodate Real Madrid superstars, relying on intuition rather than tactical systems to arrange troops;

2. Alonso adheres to principles but faces a shortage of personnel, and the club's transfer policies have become conservative in recent years.

However, management has proven to be the right decision to support the head coach and promote the reconstruction of the lineup, even if it means unpopular measures. According to sources such as Marca, Alonso plans to implement the 3-4-3 and 3-5-2 systems that he is good at in Real Madrid and transform through recruitment.

Alonso's tactical core elements:

1. Emphasize dynamic compression and high-intensity pressing.

2. The two-wing offensive wingbacks are widened, and Arnold "perfectly adapted" to this system.

3. Three central defenders + double back midfielders form a "pentyreal" ball control structure, and the wingbacks are pressing up.

4. Multi-functional forward double stars: Vinicius and Mbappe.

5. Freedom front midfielder role: imitate Wilz's positioning in Leverkusen.

The key is still flexibility. Alonso's Leverkusen often seamlessly switches 3-4-3, 3-5-2 or even 5-3-2, and adjusts according to the opponent and the game stage. At the same time, Alonso is open to 4-4-2. This formation is effective significantly in the 2023/24 season under Ancelotti, and is suitable for the current lineup.

Back-scenes change is launched simultaneously

Long-time physical fitness coach Pintus will step down from his position as the first team. Management believes that its training method is difficult to adapt to the intensity of the modern schedule, which indirectly leads to a recent wave of injuries. Alonso plans to introduce a direct team to implement a physical fitness program that combines high-intensity and ball-based training.

The list of cleaning up appears: Rodrigo may become the biggest focus

The change of coach will inevitably affect the future of non-planned players, and the following situation is basically clear:

Vallejo: The contract expires and leaves the team.

Lucas Vosquez: Due to Arnold's franchise and personal decline, the contract will not be renewed when it expires.

Modric: There is a high probability of retirement, and there is only theoretical possibility of renewal.

Fran Garcia: There are few opportunities, and the club may give up.

Mendy: If you refuse to leave the team, you may decide to stay or stay in Garcia.

Alaba: His condition declined after serious injury, and his future is doubtful.

Lunning: Maybe he leaves the team for playing time.

The biggest suspense focuses on Rodrigo. The Brazilian has recently fallen into a whirlpool of public opinion, and rumors say that he is "unwilling to play for the team anymore" and "refuses the national derby to appear" (some news has been denied). Many parties have confirmed that the winger lost his position because of Bellingham and Mbappe's joining, and was dissatisfied with frequent position adjustments and was eager to return to the left. More importantly, Alonso allegedly did not include it in the plan. If it is true, Real Madrid is willing to sell and cash out.

Alonso strongly advocates strengthening the defense: the club strives to finalize the key signing before the Club World Cup

Real Madrid starts the summer window with a near-emergency mode, and aims to complete the signing before the Club World Cup. FIFA has set up a transfer window from June 1st to 10th.

Club focuses on strengthening the three-defense line position:

Right back: is negotiating with Liverpool, striving to sign Arnold before the contract expires on June 30 to ensure that he is qualified for the Club World Cup.

Central defender: This is Alonso's top priority, due to the shortage of personnel, it is necessary to adapt to the three-central defender system. The first sign has been locked: triggered a 58 million euro termination fee to sign Bournemouth star Heysen, which was selected by Alonso and promised its core position. Saliba is still the number one target, but there is no hope this summer, and Real Madrid is willing to wait at least a year. If Alaba is seriously injured or leaves the team, alternatives include Connat (low probability) and Alonso's old team Inkapier (high probability).

Leftback: No one meets Alonso's requirements at present. Mendy is defensive, Garcia fails to meet expectations, and the two may at least leave the team. The five candidates are sorted by priority:

5, Grimaldo (29 years old): Leverkusen's former player, with the lowest priority due to Barcelona's background.

4. Miguel Gutierrez (23 years old): Girona's main player, Real Madrid has a 8 million euro buyback clause, or serves as a substitute.

3. Teo Hernandez (27 years old): Tactical adaptation but high transfer fees.

2. Kelkes (21 years old): a cost-effective choice, but there is no contract term to be terminated by the Premier League.

1. Alvaro (22 years old): The most realistic goal, Benfica wingback, from Real Madrid youth training.

There are also rumors that even if the three central defenders are changed to play, the replacement of Cross is still needed, and potential candidates include Stuttgart's Stile and Leverkusen's Palacios. In terms of the front line, it may only buy back 20-year-old Nico Pas.

Lineup Outlook: Why should we pay attention to Gulaire?

Comprehensive information from all parties, the core framework is gradually clear:

Goalkeeper: Courtois firmly sits on the main force, and Luning stays in the team or leaves the team (if leaving the team, it may introduce Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia).

Central defender: After the player recovers from injury, Alonso will have three central defenders, Heisen, Militon and Rudiger. Substitutes include Raul Asensio, Alaba (or substitute), Chu Améni, who can play guest roles, and supernova Joan Martinez, who is 17-year-old ACL recovering.

Fullback: Arnold + Carvajal on the right; pending on the left, depending on the progress of the transfer.

Midfielder: Chu Ameni + Valverde is the first choice for double midfielder configuration, but there are tactical variables, and Bellingham may retreat to this area.

Fore-middle: Alonso regards Gulaire as "New Wilz", Spanish media are convinced that the Turkish genius will be reused, and Brahim Diaz rotates on standby.

Frontline: Vinicius and Mbappe lead, and Enderick gradually gains more opportunities. Rodrigo may be completely marginalized due to the three-center-back system squeezing the front line.

Tactical Blueprint

Rotation is inevitable under intensive schedules, but the core lineup has taken shape:

3-4-3 (1): Bellingham plays the pseudo-Nine, wandering behind the double striker, imitating Wilz in the ribs of the pharmaceutical factory.

3-4-3 (2): Gulaire served as the front midfielder, activated the left with his inflection ability, Bellingham retreated to serve as B2B, and Chu Ameni built three central defenders with his defensive multi-faceted nature.

5-3-2: If the midfielder fails the test, Gulaire or Bellingham can serve as the striker, and Valverde covers the right.

4-4-2: Keep An Shuai's idea, Bellingham is on the left, and Arnold may try the midfield role (avoid the risk of four defenders' defense).

Lineup Depth: If you get rid of the injury curse, the bench will have sufficient combat power. Everything points to a new era of Real Madrid full of change and expectations.