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.
Yea, he is more concerned about Real Madrid's defense. If you observed last season, you would see that Madrid's defense was very porous which made it easy for their opponents to penetrate. I believe that Xabi Alonso knows what he is doing and will definitely work on Madrid's midfield too. Different coach with different game pattern, what matters is to win trophies.