Club World Cup to offer first Real test for Alonso

After Real Madrid's hopes of major silverware this season faded, the Club World Cup took on far greater importance for Los Blancos and it will provide an insight into new coach Xabi Alonso's strategy.

The 43-year-old Spaniard, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti in the Bernabeu dugout last month, along with new arrivals Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen add a fresh look to a team that emerged battered and bruised from a domestic season dominated by bitter rival Barcelona.

Former Bayer Leverkusen coach Alonso may deploy his favored 3-4-3 formation, which would give England international Alexander-Arnold an important role on the right flank.

Recent Spain debutant Huijsen also bolsters a backline that has been badly hit by injuries this season.

Madrid still has several players sidelined, including Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao and Eduardo Camavinga, but some may be able to make their return during the tournament.

Midfielder Jude Bellingham is expected to have shoulder surgery after Real's participation ends, which it hopes is after it has been crowned champion. Its title ambition is why it paid a reported 10 million pounds ($13.5 million) to sign Alexander-Arnold early, as his Liverpool contract was due to end on June 30.

In Group H, Real Madrid's campaign begins against Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal on June 18 in Miami, before facing Mexican outfit Pachuca in Charlotte on June 22.

Alonso's team then faces Austria's RB Salzburg in Philadelphia on June 26 in their final group game.

Al-Hilal may be a tougher proposition than many expect, having recently appointed Simone Inzaghi as coach after he guided Inter Milan to the Champions League final.

With a squad full of well-known names, including Aleksandar Mitrovic, Joao Cancelo and Kalidou Koulibaly, Al-Hilal will believe it can cause an upset.

Pachuca has former Newcastle striker Salomon Rondon leading the line, but is seen as the weakest team in the group.

Madrid beat it 3-0 in the Intercontinental Cup last December, with Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior all on target.

Real also thrashed Salzburg 5-1 in January in the Champions League group phase, before the record 15-time winner was dumped out by Arsenal in the quarterfinals.

'Ambitious' play

Ancelotti suggested a year ago that top clubs including Madrid would skip the Club World Cup, but was forced to backtrack, and with the winner bagging as much as $125 million, victory is important to the Spanish giant.

After Barcelona reclaimed La Liga on the way to wrapping up a domestic treble, beating Madrid four times in the process, Madrid would also welcome some success to raise morale and increase belief before the new campaign.

Problems that Ancelotti faced are now in Alonso's in-tray, and the Club World Cup is the first chance for him to attempt to solve them.

The Italian complained about a lack of balance because of the top-heavy attack, and Alonso has already suggested Bellingham will be used in a deeper role than previously.

A classy midfielder at Madrid and Liverpool in his playing days, Alonso must find a way of playing both Vinicius and Mbappe without causing Madrid too many problems at the back.

"We have to get everything we can out of them — I have ideas," said Alonso earlier this month.

"I am thinking about how to make a balanced team... (and create) a stability that will allow individual qualities to flourish."

Madrid's soccer under Ancelotti was often criticized, much to the Italian's chagrin, and Alonso said he wants his team to excite the fans.

"We want an ambitious and attractive game, knowing how to take the initiative, and we have the players for it," he added. "I want a team that transmits emotion, energy, ambitious play and connects with the fans."

Alexander-Arnold's supreme passing range may help Madrid overcome the absence of Toni Kroos, who left last summer, while Croatian veteran Luka Modric will play his final matches for the club.

Leaving with a trophy would be an appropriate farewell for one of the game's modern greats, while record 15-time European Cup winner Madrid would also take pride in being the first team to win the expanded Club World Cup.

AFP