Xabi Alonso leaning towards a 4-4-2 formation for Real Madrid debut game vs Al-Hilal | OneFootball

Xabi Alonso will make his managerial debut with Real Madrid later tonight in their FIFA Club World Cup Group H encounter against Al-Hilal.

Having replaced Carlo Ancelotti at the helm after the La Liga season, the Spanish tactician has been working hard with the players over the past week or so to get his ideas across and prepare the team for the challenge ahead.

4-4-2 incoming?

A lot has been speculated about the formation that Alonso plans to use at Real Madrid and the way the team will play under him.

And with kickoff only a few hours away, AS reports that the new Real Madrid boss is leaning towards utilising a 4-4-2 formation tonight against Al-Hilal.

At Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso stuck by a three-man defensive line but it appears that he will not introduce that setup right away with his new club.

Xabi Alonso to go with a 4-4-2 on his Real Madrid debut. (Photo courtesy: X/Real Madrid)

There had also been plenty of talk about the new Los Blancos manager sticking to the tried-and-tested 4-3-3 formation.

But, for now, the early indications are that Alonso will be setting Real Madrid in a 4-4-2 formation tonight, although the team is likely to operate in a fluid manner without a rigid shape.

Who will play?

As already reported, Arda Guler is a strong contender to start tonight, with the Turkish international likely to slot in on the right flank.

Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham could occupy the left side with Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni forming the two-man tandem in the centre of the park.

Up top, Vinicius Jr. will likely be partnered with compatriot Rodrygo Goes, given that Kylian Mbappe is a doubt due to a fever.

As for the defence, there will be two debutants in Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold alongside Raul Asencio and Fran Garcia, with Thibaut Courtois in goal.