Valverde on the Hot Seat: Alonso's System Turns the Real Madrid Midfield into a Chessboard
29 October 2025
Alonso's Tactical Overhaul Brings Valverde to the Forefront
Real Madrid's 2-1 Clasico victory over Barcelona underscored how Federico Valverde's role is evolving as Xabi Alonso reshapes the squad, balancing defense and midfield.
Valverde started at right-back due to Dani Carvajal's three-month injury, a move that may persist if it stabilizes the team—though the Uruguayan midfielder is not thrilled about defending duties.
According to Mundo Deportivo, even with Trent Alexander-Arnold returning, Alonso is weighing a Valverde-Arnold rotation to spare the England star from fatigue and occasional overwork.
Midfield Recalibration and Valverde's Place
In midfield, Kamavinga and Arda Güler have emerged as a core, with Jude Bellingham reclaiming top form. Camavinga shifted into Valverde's usual role and impressed, while Valverde was asked to slide back into a defensive stance to preserve his starting spot as long as his fitness holds.
Reports suggest that Valverde's position could become a sensitive topic within the Real Madrid dressing room, even as Alonso recently cooled a separate crisis involving Vinícius Júnior.
End of the Vinícius crisis
Vinícius Júnior apologised for his post-match reaction after the Clasico at the Santiago Bernabéu—expressing love for the club and a renewed commitment to fight for Madrid, after the 2-1 win that left them top of La Liga with 27 points, five clear of Barcelona.
Alonso's calm leadership
The coach spoke confidently at the press conference, praising the players' belief and insisting the win was deserved, while stressing that there is more to come. He declined to dwell on Vinícius' moment, saying the Clasico always carries tension but should stay within the bounds of healthy competition.
He warned that tensions are a natural part of big matches and cautioned against letting them derail the bigger objective: consistent points and progression in the league.
He emphasized that sustained pressure requires calm, focus, and a willingness to adapt—traits he hopes to cultivate across the squad.
Punchlines for the moment: Valverde's position changes faster than my calendar—at this rate, the season will be a montage.
Punchlines 2: If Alonso's system keeps turning like this, the bench might need a bigger trophy case than the starting XI.
