Xabi Alonso Imposes Strict Regimen as Real Madrid Prepares for Club World Cup Debut

Two weeks after his grand unveiling as Real Madrid's new head coach, Xabi Alonso has wasted no time in stamping his authority on the squad. With the highly anticipated FIFA Club World Cup just around the corner, the legendary midfielder is reportedly implementing a rigorous training regime, emphasizing discipline and precision as the team gears up for their tournament opener against Saudi Arabian champions Al-Hilal on June 18th at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

Alonso's inaugural training session on Monday saw him don the full kit, taking to the pitch to personally oversee preparations. While several international players are still returning from national team duties – including star new signings Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold – the Tolosa native began working with a partial squad.

The initial days under Alonso's strict guidance have focused intensely on fundamental aspects of the game. According to the club's official website, Monday's session kicked off with demanding physical work on the grass. This was followed by drills meticulously designed to hone possession, control, ball distribution from the back, and pressing strategies across both midfield and full-field scenarios. The group work, bolstered by promising academy talents, concluded with several running series, underscoring the physical demands being placed on the players.

Crucially, only a handful of first-team players were at 100% physical capacity for this initial phase: Fran García, Lucas Vázquez, Dani Ceballos, and Raúl Asencio. Meanwhile, key figures like Éder Militao, Thibaut Courtois, Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, and Brahim Díaz participated in part of the session on the pitch as they near the final stages of their respective recovery processes.

Concerns persist regarding several injured stars who remain sidelined: Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy, Endrick, and Eduardo Camavinga are all still out of action. However, there's good news for Federico Valverde, who trained indoors and is expected to be available for the imminent Club World Cup.

Real Madrid is set to travel to the United States this Saturday, with their tournament journey commencing on Wednesday, June 18th, at 9:00 PM Spanish peninsular time against Al-Hilal. Under Xabi Alonso's exacting eye, the reigning European champions are leaving no stone unturned in their quest for another prestigious trophy.