Real Madrid News
Former Real Madrid midfielder names two players who do not work well together under Alonso
Former Real Madrid midfielder Alvaro Benito has offered his insights into Xabi Alonso’s tactical approach and highlighted the challenges of pairing Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler in the same starting lineup.
Speaking to AS (h/t SPORT), Benito suggested that Alonso could face difficulties accommodating both stars simultaneously.
It must be noted that Bellingham missed the start of the 2025/26 season due to shoulder surgery, during which time Alonso integrated Guler into the midfield.
The Turkish midfielder adapted quickly, showing impressive form in his new role.
Big dilemma for Alonso?
With Bellingham now fit, a dilemma has emerged over how to include both talents without compromising the team’s style.
Benito explained, “It’s not an easy issue for Xabi Alonso. It has to do with what you need and what the players can bring to the table.
“From what we’ve seen in recent months with Xabi, we already know that he likes to dominate, press, and play in the opponent’s half.
“To dominate, you need players who give you width, depth, and balance on the wing.”
He continued, highlighting the challenge of fitting all the attacking stars into Alonso’s system.
“If you play a 4-4-2, with Bellingham and Arda Guler on the wings, who gives you width? It’s a good starting XI to defend at the back and attack vertically. But that’s not Xabi’s style.
“If Xabi Alonso’s style needs width and depth, you need some chaos on the wings, something that Mastantuono gives you more than Guler.”
The limits of adjusting roles
One option could be to move Guler deeper in midfield, but Benito notes that the Turkish midfielder is most effective near the opposition’s box.
Similarly, Bellingham thrived playing almost as a forward after Karim Benzema’s departure, scoring goals consistently.
However, with Mbappe’s arrival, Bellingham has been forced to drop deeper, resulting in a noticeable dip in his output.
Benito summed up the tactical challenge by stating, “In order to play with Bellingham and Arda Guler, you would have to play a 4-4-2, which does not fit with Xabi Alonso’s style.
“It’s not so easy to put players in a starting eleven based on performance.”
Real Madrid will be looking to pick up their fifth win of the 2026/27 La Liga season when they take on Elche CF at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero later tonight.
With 12 points from five games, Los Blancos are currently second in the league table, three points below leaders FC Barcelona.
As such, the Spanish capital club will be eager to get the win and close the gap to the top.
Guler starts, Bellingham rested
Ahead of kickoff, Real Madrid have announced the starting lineup that will take the field against Elche, with Jose Mourinho making some important changes.
For starters, Arda Guler is back in the lineup after appearing as a substitute in the win over Rayo Vallecano.
Interestingly, however, he starts in the attacking midfield role, with Mourinho opting to rest Jude Bellingham, who has started all of Real Madrid’s games so far.
That also means that Yan Diomande retains his place in the team, starting for a second time in a row on the right wing. Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. continue in their respective positions in attack.
Another notable change sees Aurelien Tchouameni make his first start of the season after recovering from injury and making two appearances off the bench.
He replaces Bernardo Silva as Federico Valverde’s partner in the middle of the park.
Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Marc Cucurella come in as full-backs, while Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen slot in at centre-back in front of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
📋✅ ¡Nuestro XI inicial!
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 15, 2026
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