Xabi Alonso and Arbeloa have a pact, it will be common this season

Real Madrid wants to look to its youth academy more than ever. Xabi Alonso and Álvaro Arbeloa, coaches of the first team and Castilla, have sealed an agreement that will be key this season.

Both coaches have agreed to play friendly matches on a regular basis. The goal is clear: to directly assess the level of the youth academy players against the professional squad.

The first of these matches already has a date. It will take place tomorrow, taking advantage of the international break. The first team won't compete officially again until September 13, when it visits Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena.

The plan doesn't stop at a simple training session with an internal audience. There will be a full match between the two squads. With this, Xabi Alonso wants to keep his players' intensity and, at the same time, closely evaluate the young talent pushing up from below.

Pitarch and Joan Martínez, on Xabi Alonso's agenda

To make the rehearsal more realistic, some footballers favored by the Basque coach will participate with the first team, even though they're officially part of the reserve squad. This is another step in their integration process toward the elite.

Names like Thiago Pitarch or Joan Martínez are on that list. Both players have earned Xabi Alonso's trust in recent training sessions and have great chances of making their official debut this season.

Meanwhile, Arbeloa views this initiative positively. The Castilla coach knows these rehearsals will give his pupils an excellent opportunity. In addition, it will allow them to measure their progress against established figures from the first team.

A plan that benefits the entire club

There is consensus in Valdebebas that the formula will benefit everyone. The young players will gain experience in a demanding context. The first team regulars will keep their competitive rhythm during weeks without matches. The coaches will have another tool to make decisions.

Real Madrid has spent years seeking a solid bridge between the youth academy and the first team. With this agreement, Xabi Alonso and Arbeloa hope to strengthen that connection and speed up the adaptation of the most promising players.

Tomorrow's match will be just the beginning. At the Ciudad Deportiva, they trust this format will be repeated regularly throughout the season. A rehearsal that could pave the way for the youth academy toward Bernabéu.