MADRID, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid returns to pre-season training on Monday after a summer that has been far from typical and which could give the team problems over the course of the upcoming season.
It is just three and a half weeks since Real Madrid's hopes of winning the Club World Cup were ended on July 9 by a painful 4-0 thrashing by Paris Saint Germain in New York, with the squad enjoying the minimum regulation summer holidays.
The problem is that coach Xabi Alonso now has just two weeks before the club kicks off its La Liga campaign at home to Osasuna on August 19. Real Madrid has asked for the game to be postponed, but La Liga insisted it will go ahead as planned despite Madrid's short preparation that will only allow for one pre-season match in Austria.
Alonso arrived before the Club World Cup to replace Carlo Ancelotti and had little time to start implementing his style of football, which should see more tactical discipline in midfield and defence and a higher press replace the Italian's more 'laissez-faire' attitude to the game.
There were signs of what he was looking for in the U.S., although he will need to work on that high press and the club is still looking for a long-term replacement for Toni Kroos in central midfield.
Real Madrid has been relatively busy in the transfer market, as Luka Modric and Lucas Vazquez both left after the Club World Cup, while right back Trent Alexander Arnold and central defender Dean Huijsen both arrived and both showed themselves to be good additions to the team.
Left back Alvaro Carreras and young Argentinean winger Franco Mastantuono have also been signed and will report for training on Monday, meaning the club will look to offload either Fran Garcia or Ferland Mendy by the end of the month, with the injury-prone Mendy more likely to move.
The club is also looking to move Brazilian forward Rodrygo after he played only a minor role in the Club World Cup, while young striker Gonzalo Garcia has a good chance of keeping his place in the first team squad.
If Gonzalo stays, that could mean 19-year-old Endrick will be sent out on loan to gain experience. The young Brazilian arrived with a big reputation for his years, but only scored once in 22 league appearances, although he did score five times in the Copa del Rey and there would be no shortage of sides willing to have him play for them for a season.
Alonso also has to work out the best way to combine Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr., with both preferring to play on the left of the attack and move inside. It will also be interesting how he works with two players who prefer to reserve their energies to attack, rather than as the first line of defence.
The good news is that both central defender Eder Militao and right back Dani Carvajal are both fit after last season's knee injuries, with Carvajal's competition with Alexander Arnold for the right back position very much one to watch.
Alonso switched tactics in his opening matches, starting out with the three-man defence and wing-backs he used to successfully at Bayer Leverkusen, but then changing to a more traditional back four. Huijsen's ability on the ball means the youngster can adapt to either system, but his full backs on both sides look better adapted to more attacking roles.
The Club World Cup was only a trial run and there is a lot to discover about Alonso this season as Real Madrid look to challenge FC Barcelona and again triumph in Europe, but the summer tournament could also have a sting in its tail with little preparation time and short holidays before a very intense season.
If the squad hasn’t had adequate rest and physical preparation following the Club World Cup, it may pay the price over the winter. Enditem
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