Xabi Alonso’s response to a question about his preferred playing style in his first press conference as Real Madrid head coach last May was instructive.
“I’m already thinking about how to be a balanced team that exerts control over the game, while capitalising on the team’s individual qualities. That will help bring stability that allows the individual brilliance to flourish,” he said.
Alvaro Arbeloa’s response to the same question seven-and-a-half months later, after being promoted to the first-team job from coaching in the club’s academy in the wake of Alonso’s January 12 sacking, was much simpler.
“This club is about winning, winning, and winning again,” the former Madrid full-back said.
Madrid have now won six of Arbeloa’s eight matches as their coach, scoring 22 goals, and with evident changes to how they operate in possession. They have conceded 10 times in those games, as familiar issues regarding what they do when the opposition have the ball persist.
Click below to read more on how Madrid have changed under Arbeloa: