Real Madrid’s game against Osasuna showed the world a glimpse of the team’s new look and the vision that Xabi Alonso has with the men in white.
While Los Blancos understandably still had glaring flaws, they brought home the three points and showed improvement in certain areas of the field including the defence which was solid and the work rate off the ball in terms of distance covered.
Notably, however, the new system is more proactive, intensive with the ball and demanding of players, primarily on a physical level.
As relayed by ESPN in a recent report, Alonso is well aware of the physical demands he places on his squad and how it is not easy to remain fit playing such an aggressive style of football week in and week out.
The manager, thus has given capital priority to physical preparation from day one and is leaving no stone unturned in turning around the team’s poor physical fitness from last season.
Physical training and fitness has been the aspect on which Alonso placed the most priority right from day one of pre-season and the manager even changed the system from the grassroots by changing the fitness training staff and bringing in the experienced Ismael Camenforte.
Last season, Real Madrid’s worrying injury record saw them lose steam towards the end of the season.
The defence, in particular, ran low on options and saw the team exposed at the back at a crucial point in the campaign.
The new coach, thus, is working on a prophylaxis to ensure such a situation does not arise once more and it will go a long way, especially with the season being long and gruelling.