Both footballers already know the new dynamics they are facing this season
Xabi Alonso’s arrival on the home bench at Santiago Bernabéu, replacing Carlo Ancelotti, means the implementation of constant changes in tactical approaches for the matches on the schedule. The Merengue coaching staff want to replicate the successful model that already worked with excellent results at BayerLeverkusen.
This decision-making process involves rethinking the positions and automatisms assigned to certain players. This is especially true for those who aim to be undisputed starters for the Tolosa manager: His renewed guidelines seek to establish a different competitive dynamism in the first team in white.
Two of the footballers who are regularly mentioned in the meetings prior to the 25/26 preseason, at the Valdebebas offices, are Trent Alexander-Arnold and Álvaro Carreras. The signing of both full-backs, deals completed during the current summer transfer window, offers new opportunities for the Madrid coaches when building their tactics.
Especially because a dynamic that had lost considerable prominence in recent seasons is being recovered: predominantly attacking full-backs. The profiles provided by Lucas Vázquez and Ferland Mendy required greater defensive focus, reducing attacking options and one of the hallmarks of the more “modern” Real Madrid.
Álvaro Carreras and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s arrival, under Xabi Alonso, directly revives the attacking spirit that Dani Carvajal and Marcelo once had. The “threats” both defenders represented in their time could have a direct replica in players whose profiles are truly similar.
It’s no coincidence that the two new signings can play as wing-backs in a formation with three center-backs, a versatility the Tolosa manager hasn’t forgotten either. The placement of these two newcomers in Santiago Bernabéu locker room will define an era, just as Dani Carvajal and Marcelo did, attacking from the flanks of the defensive zone.
Not only to deliver crosses or add more players to positional attacks during matches. Both are fast footballers, with very sharp intuition for attacking spaces in counterattacks and runs into the opponent’s half. Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, has established himself in recent seasons as an excellent passer and set-piece creator.
The white coaching staff know that it won’t be easy to surpass the unbelievable records of Dani Carvajal and Marcelo as a clearly attacking full-back duo. However, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Álvaro Carreras are more than worthy successors to continue a dynamic that, with its loss, has greatly reduced the attacking potential in Santiago Bernabéu locker room.