Xabi Alonso has been officially unveiled as Real Madrid’s manager for the upcoming season. With the ex-Bayern Leverkusen tactician at Madrid and Flick settling into Barca, La Liga is set to witness a fierce tactical rivalry. Both managers possess a disciplined mindset and philosophy. However, some key differences might decide who gains the early upper hand in the coming season.
This is Why Flick and Alonso Will Redefine El Clasico
Over the past few seasons, since Luis Enrique and Zidane left La Liga, clásicos have been more about flair and freedom. Teams have scored heavily, and individual brilliance has been a pivotal factor in the game outcomes. But the Xabi and Flick rivalry will be built on structure, discipline, and tactical control. Flick and Alonso are not managers who let stars run the show; they run the show through their stars.
Both have a strong Bundesliga background, and it shows in the way they demand elite professionalism and punctuality from every player. Alonso’s decision to bench Wirtz for being late is no different than Flick sidelining Kounde for the same reason. Fans should expect El Clasico to become more of a chess match than a circus. This rivalry will be less about emotion and more about precision and execution.
Barcelona Already Has the Flick Effect: Can Alonso Catch Up in Time?
Now it’s essential to keep in mind that Flick is no longer new to this game. He has already instilled a sense of urgency and a winning mentality at Barcelona. The underperformers have been benched, bench competition is higher, and results are also showing. On the contrary, Alonso is just beginning his journey at Madrid. Will he catch up?
He’ll need to convince the squad to buy into his demanding system. Real Madrid’s dressing room has never been easy to tame. And if Xabi does not impose discipline quickly, Flick could take advantage of this. The structure is already in place at Barca. The big question is: Can Alonso set the tone fast enough before the season gets away from him?
Flick Knows Alonso Too Well
Alonso has achieved tremendous success with Leverkusen. He won three trophies with the Bundesliga team, more than the club had ever won before. But Hansi Flick won’t be walking into unknown territory. He has studied Alonso’s tactics very closely, even speaking with him during his time at Leverkusen. This familiarity might give him a possible edge in the first few clásicos.
The Barcelona boss even talked about him last week as he joined Madrid. Flick said:
“I like his philosophy, and his success in Germany is very positive.”
Flick knows the type of football Alonso prefers: A structured buildup, disciplined shape, and smooth transitions. This inside knowledge and a more settled squad put the German coach in a better position from the outset. However, Alonso’s ball knowledge is also supreme. He is a special coach and has proved that in Bundesliga. Now let’s see how he handles the pressure at Real Madrid and performs in the Spanish league.