Neither Bellingham nor Arda: the lethal weapon Xabi wants to implement from the second line

Xabi Alonso has several fronts open as Real Madrid's coach. The Basque strategist has managed to make the first team work in a way similar to his original tactical approaches: the results, especially against Pachuca and RB Salzburg, prove it.

But it would only be the beginning. Because the leader of the Merengue coaching staff knows that the current squad configuration is not the one he will have to manage at the start of his first season as the white team's coach. The 25/26 season holds, at the very least, a big surprise for the Madridist legend: Franco Mastantuono.

The signing of River Plate's "30" is not new, but in the Valdebebas offices, they have been greatly surprised. Because Xabi Alonso may have gotten ahead of the circumstances, creating new automatisms and game plans, likely to be put into practice during the Club World Cup knockout rounds... for a player who has not yet arrived at the Merengue sports discipline.

The addition of Franco Mastantuono may have caused certain conflicts with the excellent progress that another young prospect has shown who is already present in Santiago Bernabéu locker room. Arda Güler has become one of the coach from Tolosa's "favorites" thanks to his excellent performance in the new position.

Enhancing his best qualities

Positioned at the base of the play, the Altindag midfielder seems to have found his true footballing vocation. In addition to finding the perfect position for the Turkish player, Xabi Alonso has unlocked the role in which Franco Mastantuono feels most comfortable. Because that is the main goal of the white team's coach.

Real Madrid is considering how to fit the still River Plate player not only in terms of position. Xabi Alonso has studied the main strengths and weaknesses of the Argentine footballer and has concluded that his performance in the second line is remarkable. His shooting statistics in the Club World Cup prove it: he was the fourth player with the most shots on goal.

Knowing about Franco Mastantuono's quality in medium and long-distance shooting, the Millonario attacking midfielder will be one of those chosen to carry out that function. Together with Fede Valverde, known for the power of his shots from outside the opponent's box, Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid will seek to complement these two "cannon shooters" to unlock matches.

While it is true that there is still more than a month left before Franco Mastantuono joins Santiago Bernabéu locker room, the first tactical modifications in that regard are beginning. Such anticipation shows the excitement caused by the arrival of the South American player in the Valdebebas offices and among Madridists in general.