Xabi Alonso is using a 4-player defense line for now unlike his preferences at Leverkusen. It was like that in his first two games in the FIFA Club World Cup at least. I think this is the best choice because they would have rotational problems for CBs otherwise.
In case of injuries I mean. Anyways, it was nice to see Arda Guler as a starter too. Xabi Alonso cares about him way higher than Ancelotti. Unlike him, he wants to have Arda adapted to midfield. To play in Modric's role maybe. Let's see whether it works...
Yes i saw, it's not that i like a 4-man defense very much, it means that he's putting all the effort into a defense rather than into the midfield for example.
I liked Carlo Ancelotti's game, so let's see if Xabi's works, we'll find out next season.
Last season, so many football analyst state that Real Madrid defenseline is weak, easy to penetrate. Here is Alonso trying to correct that, so that is the defenseline of Real Madrid won't appear weak again whenever the first team defenders has injuries, there will other team defenders that will fill in the gap. If that is successful achieved, Real Madrid will hold onto a match win if they are winning since the team midfield and frontline players are in good shape.
Last season most of the errors and games that Real Madrid lost was as a result of defensive errors and injuries on their defenders now since they have a replacement for their former coach the new manager has made a very good signing in that regard to insure they don't experience the issues they had last season by bringing in more defenders in the team.
But Alonso should also note that depending on the formation of the former manager may not work for him so he needs to have his own formation and the tactics get will work for the team. He can choose to return all the players that has been removed from their main wing back to their wing by doing so everyone will be at his best and their won't be any competition on the player that must be a regular goal scorer for the team.