As the turbulent La Liga season of 2024/2025 season comes to an end, a fresh start is glooming in the league. The stage is set for another fascinating tactical rivalry. Xabi Alonso, recently appointed as Real Madrid’s head coach, will face off against Hansi Flick, the man guiding an under-construction FC Barcelona.
A rivalry whose spark never fades — from Messi vs Ronaldo, Pep Guardiola vs Jose Mourinho, R9 vs Ronaldinho, and Figo’s betrayal, to the next chapter: Xabi Alonso vs Hansi Flick.
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona
Hansi Flick took charge of Barcelona in 2024; since then, he has turned this broken side into an unbeatable machine. Blending Barcelona’s youth and experience, Flick has had a successful season with the Catalans enjoying the Domestic Treble. His trademark 4-2-3-1 formation reached new heights at this club. Flick has emphasized intense pressing, quick transitions, and high line, completely playing against Barcelona’s traditional tiki-taka and possession-based football. A transformation from conventional football to modernized play proved to be the turning point for Barcelona.
Flick’s attacking philosophy has brought the best of Barcelona’s attack which reignited individual form in players including Lewandowski and Raphinha. In addition to this, the nurturing of young talents including Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, Balde, and Pedri has been excellent under his leadership. Flick’s side suffocates the opponents with their pressing, often winning the ball high which ends up in lethal transitions. Flick’s approach is associated with few risks. There were moments when Flick’s high defensive line left the defense exposed, especially against quick opponents.
Xabi Alonso’s Madrid
Real Madrid’s appointment of Xabi Alonso signals a new style. When Real Madrid could not find results under Carlo Ancelotti, they realized an immediate change was needed. Alonso’s philosophy of Madrid is like chalk and cheese. Alonso has a a modern identity built on positional fluidity and defensive solidity, due to his tenure at Bayer Leverkusen. After stunning Europe with Bayer Leverkusen by going unbeaten in the Bundesliga and securing domestic success, Alonso now returns to the Bernabeu to lead his former club.
Alonso prefers a 3-4-2-1 system, which allows fixed buildup and quick recovery during transitions. Bringing this to Madrid would be a different system than what Madrid plays. They will need to rely on midfield control, wing-back play, and pressing, a philosophy new to Madrid.
The Identity Clash
This time the El Classico will be more than a match. Flick represents modern game, discipline, and attacking freedom, while Alonso relies on control, structure, and adaptability. Both have been under great managers, both are students of the game with different textbooks.
The way both managers represent their styles, there is no doubt next season’s El Clasico is set to redefine this age-old rivalry for a new generation. This can go on for years to come. I believe as the fans move on from the Messi-Ronaldo chapter, the new era will also be defined by two smart individuals, not on the field but on the sidelines. The next Classico wouldn’t be just individual brilliance on the field, it will be a clash on the sidelines. Every whisper would matter, and every substitute would matter.