Real Madrid Confidencial Drastic measure at Real Madrid: Xabi Alonso enforces a change that Florentino accepts
The coach from Donostia has added two more fitness coaches to his staff to address injuries
Xabi Alonso is already in charge at Real Madrid. His first major decision has been clear: to change the team's physical approach after a season plagued by injuries. Florentino Pérez has immediately given his approval.
In total, the white squad suffered 51 injuries during the 2024/25 campaign. Of these, 37 were muscular.
This devastating statistic has set off alarms in Valdebebas. The two most serious were those of Carvajal and Militao, who missed a large part of the season.
Except for Arda Güler and Luka Modric, all first-team players spent time in the infirmary. In the Croatian's case, his performance was exemplary. At 39 years old, he played 57 matches and accumulated 2,801 minutes, setting a personal record in his farewell at Santiago Bernabéu.
Total reinforcement of the physical area
To reverse this situation, the club has strengthened the coaching staff with three new fitness coaches. The first to arrive was Ismael Camenforte. Now, two more names join: Javier Arnáiz and Ismael Fernández.
Arnáiz, former performance director of the Mexican Federation, will be in charge of gym work. Fernández, who holds a doctorate in sports science, will focus on data analysis and injury prevention. Both will work with Thermohuman, a thermal camera system that detects asymmetries and muscle overloads.
The club doesn't rule out hiring a third fitness coach, specialized in fieldwork. They want to complete a physical team that meets Xabi Alonso's demands.
Club World Cup, starting point
The next major event is the Club World Cup, which kicks off on June 14. Many already consider it the real start of the 2025/26 season. The goal is to reach the tournament with a squad in better physical condition.
Xabi Alonso wants to put an end to the muscle problems that affected the previous season. Florentino has accepted this restructuring without hesitation.
A new era is beginning at Real Madrid. One in which physical condition and prevention will be at the center of the sports project. Because to compete at the highest level, it's not enough to have talent: you also have to be in a position to show it.
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