Alonso acting on Ancelotti's Real Madrid advice
Xabi Alonso is acting on the advice of Carlo Ancelotti as he attempts to give Real Madrid greater balance through his in-game tactical changes.
Alonso's side progressed to the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup with a 1-0 win over Juventus in Miami, with Gonzalo Garcia heading in a 54th-minute winner.
Los Blancos started in a 3-4-3 system with Aurelien Tchouameni playing between Dean Huijsen and Antonio Rudiger in the heart of defence.
However, with Juventus using Randal Kolo Muani as a lone striker, Alonso opted to push Tchouameni into midfield and Madrid was rewarded with a greater sense of control.
"You have to know how to compete and this is Real Madrid's DNA," Alonso said. "Knowing how to grit your teeth and do what you have to do.
"I've listened to Carlo. He said that the team lacked balance last season. That has been important for us.
"At the beginning with Tchouameni deeper, we had too many people behind the ball. They changed their approach, and we had a player to spare.
"It's about moving pieces and I think we got it right today. Once we progress, we have to be brave. We haven't had much time, but we're looking at things and making adjustments.
"The quality is there, the more collective sense we give to the game, then exceptional plays come out on their own. That is the path we want for the World Cup and for this new era."
Madrid will now face Borussia Dortmund or Monterrey for a place in the semi-finals, where it could meet Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich.
Madrid's total of 21 shots was its highest in any match at the 2025 Club World Cup, but Juve boss Igor Tudor thought his players applied themselves well.
"I have to congratulate the lads, because they stuck to the gameplan we had and followed the strategy," tudor said. "They gave their all in the circumstances. At the end there were 10 players asking to come off."
The Bianconeri lost their final group-stage game to Manchester City 5-2, and Tudor feels going up against two elite sides will benefit them.
"We went to school against two teams of the highest level," he said. "It's valuable to compare where we are with these teams and learn going forward.
"We prepared a very different strategy against Real Madrid and it was also a different context, as the City game didn't count for anything, whereas this was a knockout tie.
"Are Madrid more dangerous when they pass it around or go on the counter? We had a few scoring opportunities too, I congratulated the lads, and we build from here."
