Xabi Alonso`s initial games managing Real Madrid were noteworthy more for the players absent than those present. Kylian Mbappe missed the group stage due to illness, and Rodrygo`s uncertain status at the club was highlighted by his single start in the first four Club World Cup games. This situation, perhaps unexpectedly, created the ideal opportunity for Gonzalo Garcia to emerge as the breakout star of Real Madrid`s journey to the tournament quarterfinals.
The 21-year-old youth academy graduate likely began the competition filling in for more established attackers, but he swiftly established himself alongside talents like Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham. He made his fourth start in the tournament on Tuesday and repaid Alonso`s confidence by scoring the only goal in the Round of 16 victory against Juventus, marking his third goal in the competition. His recent goal, a header, followed a precise cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold, showcasing seemingly instinctive finishing.
Garcia is now among the tournament`s top goalscorers, level with prominent names such as Harry Kane of Bayern Munich and Erling Haaland of Manchester City, each with three goals. This is a significant change from his position within the squad just weeks prior. Before the Club World Cup, he had only featured six times for the senior side, potentially due to former manager Carlo Ancelotti`s less pronounced focus on youth development. It remains to be seen if Alonso will prioritize bringing through young players, but Garcia`s success highlights the opportunities, both positive and negative, presented by the format of the revamped Club World Cup.
Although the tournament allows teams from outside Europe`s top leagues to shine, it is still structured in a way that generally benefits the elite clubs. This theoretically permits managers to experiment with strategies and lineups in the initial phases. This is particularly relevant after a demanding season, and for Real Madrid, the tournament offers an early look at Xabi Alonso`s tactical approach as they gear up for the next campaign.
Based purely on Garcia`s displays, Alonso`s tactical adjustments have paid off. In 293 minutes, he has scored three goals and provided one assist, also creating three chances. Alonso has drawn comparisons between Garcia and Real Madrid legend Raul, another successful academy product. Garcia`s standout attribute appears to be his adaptability, capable of playing anywhere across the attack, which contrasts somewhat with the team`s prominent yet perhaps less flexible forwards. He has been vital as Alonso starts to mold the team in his image, aiming for a high-pressing style similar to his successful Bayer Leverkusen squad, aligned with modern football tactics.
Beyond Garcia`s direct contributions, Alonso`s vision for the team seems to be taking shape. Following a difficult 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal to open the tournament, they produced a dominant, attacking performance against Juventus on Tuesday. While not always aesthetically pleasing, they significantly outshot Juventus 21-6 and likely would have scored more were it not for Michele Di Gregorio`s ten saves for the Italian team. Real Madrid achieved this performance using a blend of established players and new faces, a mix likely to characterize Alonso`s initial period at the club. Key figures like Bellingham and Vinicius registered three and four shots respectively, while Dean Huijsen looked increasingly comfortable as a ball-playing central defender, and Trent Alexander-Arnold impressed with an assist, suggesting he could be a key summer signing.
Nevertheless, Garcia`s rise provides Real Madrid with valuable depth and versatility, qualities that were sometimes absent during their trophy-less domestic and European seasons. His form is promising for their prospects in the Club World Cup, particularly after Manchester City`s surprising exit on Monday, and could instill optimism for the upcoming season.
