The media has been awash with the possibility of Xabi Alonso as the next Real Madrid manager. Carlo Ancelotti even commented on that possibility.
If Alonso eventually becomes Real Madrid manager, we expect to see some immediate changes in the way Los Blancos set up. Even if the squad remains the same.
It's no secret that Alonso likes to set up his team in an attacking shape while maintaining their defensive solidity. It explains why Bayer Leverkusen have already scored 29 goals this season while conceding just six.
Alonso's best formation is the 3-4-2-1. With a back-three, Alonso uses two fast wingers who also operate as wingbacks. In this system, he deploys two defensive midfielders to cover the centre and two attacking midfielders or wingers. And as a rule of thumb, Alonso always starts a number 9. This summer Leverkusen signed Victor Boniface, and the Nigerian has been scoring for fun since.
Here's how the current Real Madrid will likely lineup with Alonso as coach:
3-4-2-1
In this formation, Real Madrid will have three defenders protecting the goal with Tchouameni and Camavinga just ahead of them.
That will leave the team with five players who can attack the opposition from every side including Valverde and Garcia as wingbacks.
What would stop this team from averaging three goals per game?
4-2-3-1
Considering the players Real Madrid has right now, Alonso is also likely to opt for a back-four.
Once again, he's expected to deploy two defensive midfielders with Bellingham sitting ahead of them.
On the flanks, Vinicius and Valverde or Rodrygo will provide the width. With this set up, Real Madrid are expected to be a proper goalscoring force.
