Real Madrid Confidencial The surprise Xabi Alonso is preparing in Real Madrid's starting line-up against Osasuna
He has made a final decision to form the starting eleven for the league debut
Real Madrid has had a very short preseason after playing in the Club World Cup semifinals. Fifteen days in which it has only been able to play one official friendly against Tirol. Xabi Alonso has tried to make the most of this time to convey his ideas to the team.
In the last week, he focused on the match against Osasuna, first thinking about his starting line-up. Especially about which player would be chosen to take Bellingham's place. Defensa Central has confirmed through close sources that Brahim will be the one to break into the starting eleven.
Jude underwent shoulder surgery in an effort to put an end to the problems he had been dealing with for some time. That will keep him out for quite a few weeks, a very significant absence. But the coach from Tolosa is going to trust Brahim so the player from Málaga can fill that spot.
With Ancelotti, he was already the first option whenever Bellingham couldn't be available due to injury or suspension. It seems that, for now, Xabi Alonso is going to continue down the same path. During the preseason, Brahim has convinced him that he can make up for the Englishman's absence.
Brahim wins over Xabi and leaves one greatly affected
During the press conference before Real Madrid – Osasuna, Xabi was full of praise for Brahim. "I've seen him do well, I already knew him, how different he can be, how he understands the position. He knows how to create different things, how he connects well with his teammates," the coach said.
He finished by saying, "In tight spaces, he's excellent, he's ambidextrous, he finishes very well. I wasn't surprised because I already knew him well," so it seems that Brahim has finally won him over. However, that decision to start the player from Málaga leaves Rodrygo as the main one affected.
The Brazilian could have had his big chance to start in Bellingham's absence. Against Tirol, Xabi already trusted Brahim, leaving Rodrygo only for the second half. This is something that will be repeated this Tuesday against Osasuna, so the former Santos player is starting off by losing his first battle.
More posts: