Source: Real Madrid
Real Madrid secured a crucial victory against Salzburg, cementing their place atop their group and sealing passage to the Club World Cup round of 16. The dominant performance marked the team’s strongest showing yet in the tournament, underscoring the growing impact of manager Xabi Alonso’s strategic vision.
A key element of Alonso’s evolving strategy has been the increased integration of Turkish prodigy Arda Güler into the starting lineup. The young midfielder’s recent displays suggest a burgeoning role within the squad, confirming Alonso’s faith in his potential.
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“You have to distribute the ball quickly and, upon losing possession, immediately activate to recover it,” Alonso reportedly told Güler as quoted by Defansa Central, emphasizing the need to “maintain intensity throughout the game.” While pushing for continued improvement, the manager conveyed his satisfaction with Güler’s progress.
For the second consecutive match, Güler started for Real Madrid, a clear indication of his anticipated importance this season. Despite still refining certain aspects of his game, he delivered a strong performance against Salzburg, particularly in a more central, organizing role. This shift highlights Güler’s burgeoning credentials as a key figure in Real Madrid’s midfield, where his “magic and clarity” in orchestrating play are proving invaluable.
Alonso has openly expressed his admiration for Güler, stating he is “delighted” with the player. The Club World Cup has seen Güler take on a prominent role, hinting at a very exciting season ahead for the youngster.
“I feel more important because he always talks to me, and in the first game I played 45 minutes, so I feel better,” Güler remarked recently, reflecting on his improved situation under Alonso’s stewardship.
Following the Salzburg match, Alonso lauded Güler’s contribution, noting, “Arda Güler and Fede Valverde give us good control in the first half. Güler knows how to get together and has quality between the lines. They are different ways of doing things because they give us wealth and collective quality. The more we have, the more the players will benefit.”
Güler’s emergence has been one of the standout positive stories of this Club World Cup. After a challenging period under former coach Carlo Ancelotti, the Turkish international is rediscovering his form and confidence under Alonso. However, the Donostian coach is keen to ensure Güler remains focused, recognizing the immense room for further development.
In his last two outings, Güler has showcased a more influential, organizing style of play, effectively dictating the team’s rhythm and contributing decisively in attack. It appears that in Alonso’s tactical setup, Güler will enjoy more direct involvement with the ball, moving away from a more restricted wide role seen in previous seasons. Alonso, acutely aware of Güler’s exceptional technical ability, is clearly keen for him to become one of the team’s primary playmakers.