The initial matches under Xabi Alonso`s management at Real Madrid were noteworthy less for the players on the field and more for those missing. Kylian Mbappe was sidelined for the group stage, dealing with gastroenteritis. Meanwhile, the ongoing speculation about Rodrygo`s future at the club intensified as he started only one of the first four Club World Cup games. Although unexpected initially, this situation created the perfect opportunity for Gonzalo Garcia to emerge as the surprising standout player during Real Madrid`s progress to the tournament`s quarterfinals.
This 21-year-old product of the Real Madrid academy may have initially been selected as a temporary stand-in for more established attackers who weren`t starting. However, he has rapidly proven himself worthy of a place alongside stars like Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham. He made his fourth start of the competition on Tuesday against Juventus in the round of 16, repaying Alonso`s confidence by scoring the only goal of the match – his third in the tournament. His latest goal was a header, a seemingly instinctive flick responding perfectly to a well-delivered cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Garcia now finds himself among the tournament`s leading goalscorers, level with prominent forwards such as Bayern Munich`s Harry Kane and Manchester City`s Erling Haaland, each having scored three goals. This is a stark contrast to his position within the squad just weeks prior, when he had made only six senior team appearances. This limited exposure might partly be attributed to Real Madrid`s previous manager, Carlo Ancelotti, who was not particularly renowned for integrating young players. While it remains to be seen if Alonso will adopt a different approach in this regard, Garcia`s sudden emergence is symbolic of the circumstances created by the revamped Club World Cup format, highlighting both its positive and negative aspects.
While clubs from outside Europe`s elite may enjoy moments of prominence, the tournament theoretically continues to favour the major teams. This structure creates an environment where managers, particularly after a demanding season, can experiment with tactical approaches and player selections in the initial stages. This is especially pertinent for Real Madrid, with this tournament providing the first real glimpse into Alonso`s plans and vision for the team heading into the new season.
Based solely on Garcia`s impact, Alonso`s strategy of experimentation has clearly paid off – he has recorded three goals and one assist, creating three chances in 293 minutes played. Alonso has already drawn parallels between him and Real Madrid`s legendary goalscorer and fellow academy graduate, Raul. Garcia`s significant strength appears to be his versatility, capable of playing anywhere across the forward line, a trait perhaps less common among the team`s high-profile yet potentially less adaptable attackers. He is playing a vital role as Alonso starts to refine his ideal version of the team, which he hopes will emulate the high-pressing style of his successful Bayer Leverkusen squad, reflecting contemporary tactical trends in football.
Looking beyond just Garcia`s contributions, Alonso`s strategic framework seems to be taking shape. Weeks after a somewhat unconvincing 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal to begin the competition, they delivered a commanding, attack-focused performance against Juventus on Tuesday. It wasn`t always aesthetically perfect, but they significantly outshot Juventus 21 to 6 and likely would have scored more than just the single goal had Michele Di Gregorio not made 10 saves for the Italian team. Real Madrid achieved this performance by blending familiar faces with new additions, a mix likely to characterize Alonso`s initial period at the club. Mainstays Bellingham and Vinicius attempted three and four shots respectively, Dean Huijsen appeared more comfortable in his new role as a ball-playing central defender, and Alexander-Arnold reinforced his claim as one of the summer`s best signings with his assist.
Garcia`s rise, however, provides Real Madrid with a level of depth and attacking variety that was sometimes absent last season when they finished their domestic and European campaigns without silverware. His emergence is a positive sign for their prospects in the current Club World Cup, particularly following Manchester City`s unexpected exit on Monday, and may just offer a strong sense of optimism for the upcoming season.
