Incoming Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso is expected to encounter a number of issues to resolve ... More when taking over the reins from Carlo Ancelotti this summer according to figures such as COPE analyst Julio Maldonado, who is widely known as 'Maldini' in Spain. Getty Images Incoming Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso is expected to encounter a number of issues to resolve when taking over the reins from Carlo Ancelotti this summer according to figures such as COPE analyst Julio Maldonado, who is widely known as 'Maldini' in Spain. Madrid hasn’t made an official announcement on the changing of the guard, but it has already been widely reported by the likes of transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano that Alonso will return to one of his most commonly-associated playing days clubs after leading Bayer Leverkusen to a maiden Bundesliga title last term. Simultaneously, while Madrid has remained silent on that matter too, the Brazilian soccer federation known as the CBF has already publicly confirmed that Ancelotti will command its national team from May 26, just a couple of days after the La Liga season has wrapped up. Popular Spanish television program El Chiringuito believes Alonso will get stuck in from June 1 to take Madrid to the Club World Cup, and irrespective of when he starts, the legendary midfielder is expected to have a number of issues to iron out or big decisions to make. During an appearance on COPE, Maldini pondered whether Alonso will try to set Madrid UP with the same scheme of three center backs as he did with Leverkusen, which at the moment will be tricky considering that Ancelotti missed five of them for El Clasico at the weekend. MORE FOR YOU WWE Raw Results, Winners And Grades On May 12, 2025 ‘NYT Mini’ Crossword Clues And Answers For Tuesday, May 13 Dallas Mavericks Win 2025 NBA Draft Lottery “He has a lot of game concepts, high pressure, arrival on the wings, but there is a very important thing he does, which is to position the full-backs practically in the interior area when Florian Wirtz advances a lot, for example,” Maldini noted. With Wirtz previously reported as destined for the Bernabeu, the German wonderkid now appears set for Bayern Munich meaning Alonso will have to find someone else to manage those responsibilities if he goes for the same philosophy. “The positions have to be occupied, it doesn’t matter by whom, they have to be occupied. Madrid is going to have a spectacular tactical job with Xabi Alonso. Another thing is how the results are made, because many times the ball goes in or doesn’t go in. This is football, but that there is going to be a great tactical work, I have no doubt,” Maldini added. "The problem that Xabi Alonso may have is how to adapt the three centre-backs, beyond the signings that may arrive. Right now, he doesn’t have the means, because he [only] has [Raul] Asensio and [Aurelien] Tchouameni to play as centre-backs. “Let’s see if he looks for a way to play with a three-man defense or puts in a four-man defense. The defense of four would worry him much more, especially because the full-backs can no longer position themselves as interiors or it is much more difficult to do so. Maybe he can try,” the analyst suggested. Real Madrid has other issues Additional topics on Alonso’s list will be striking harmony between Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr., while getting the pair to run more and help out defensively. Above all, though, it is breaking up Barca’s new hegemony on Spanish silverware which will be of most interest to Real Madrid President Florentino Perez. Editorial StandardsForbes Accolades