Neither Mbappé nor Valverde — Xabi Alonso reveals which player is fundamental to his system
Xabi Alonso Names Tchouaméni as the Key to His Real Madrid System, Neither Mbappé nor Valverde—it’s the French midfielder who Alonso calls fundamental to his tactical set
In the buildup to Real Madrid’s highly anticipated Club World Cup quarterfinal clash against Borussia Dortmund (tonight at 22:00, Spanish time), Xabi Alonso spoke to the press and revealed a surprising truth about his tactical cornerstone.
While many would expect big names like Kylian Mbappé or Fede Valverde to be at the heart of Alonso’s system, the manager made it clear: Aurélien Tchouaméni is the most vital player in his current project.
Tchouaméni: Alonso’s Tactical Anchor
“I had seen a lot of him before, but you really need to get to know the player up close,” Alonso said. “He’s intelligent and that position is fundamental for me.”
Alonso emphasized that Tchouaméni’s versatility is crucial to Madrid’s system:
“He can play as a hybrid—both as a center-back and a midfielder. We’re not going to be locked into one idea. Tactical flexibility will give us options, and the players themselves must find solutions on the pitch. They know the opponent well.”
A Key Match Ahead
Reflecting on the knockout journey, Alonso spoke about tonight’s game against Dortmund:
“After beating Juventus in the round of 16, we want to keep progressing. Now we face Dortmund—a top European side that played the 2024 final against us. It will be an intense match, and we need to be at a high level.”
He added that the team is feeling the pressure—but in a good way:
“These are do-or-die games now. You either go home or move forward. We have to embrace that adrenaline.”
Alonso also touched on the challenges of managing the game flow and staying focused throughout 90 minutes:
“There are moments where we’re doing well, but we still need more consistency. During cooling breaks, we try to give the clearest, most effective instructions possible.”
Building from the Core
With Alonso’s emphasis on tactical depth and adaptability, it’s no surprise that a player like Tchouaméni, who offers balance, intelligence, and positional versatility, has become the engine of his system. As Real Madrid prepares for a high-stakes clash, it’s clear that the French midfielder—not the headline stars—is the man Alonso trusts most to anchor his style of play.
