Real Madrid has learned a lesson in blood and tears, Alonso must plug this loophole!

Real Madrid's performance in the 2024/25 season was quite disappointing, failing to win any important championships, and the team's overall performance was poor, which eventually led to the departure of coach Ancelotti.

Over the season, the Galaxy Battleships had a recurring tactical flaw: set-piece defense, especially corner defense. This makes them pay the price of losing points and losing momentum. In the victory or defeat, the winner is often only in the championship battle between the front line, which may be the key to the final runner-up rather than winning the championship.

In key games, Real Madrid's weaknesses in defensive corner kicks have been exposed. It is not due to the opponent's wonderful shooting or meticulous drill routine, but a simpler and avoidable problem: bad people-to-peer arrangements.

Those obvious mistakes

Season opening game, Real Madrid was tied 1-1 at the Thornemois Stadium. The goal to equalize the score comes from Muric, Mallorca's number one air dominance is extremely threatening in the penalty area. Surprisingly, it was Mbappe who was in charge of his guard. Mbappe is talented in offense, but his aerial ability is not his strength, nor is he a defensive player. When the corner kick was taken, Muric easily got rid of his marks and scored a header. The process is simple and could have been avoided.

Then in the Champions League group stage at Anfield, Real Madrid lost to Liverpool 0-2, and Garkepo scored the second goal. Another header, another misplaced mark. This time, Modric, who is only 174cm tall and 38 years old, was assigned to guard Gakebo, the opponent's tallest player, who is 193cm tall. It is conceivable that the Dutchman easily won the confrontation. The same problem reappeared at Villamarin late in the season. Although Real Madrid took the lead early, they once again lost due to corner kicks. Cardoso (182cm) hit the ball without anyone being disturbed, and it was Modric who was guarding him. This time, the veteran didn't even take off. Betis was able to head the ball freely and hit a single shot. Real Madrid finally lost 1-2.

The cost of poor marking

These are by no means isolated incidents. Real Madrid lost points for corner kicks against teams such as Valencia, Real Betis, Villarreal and Real Sociedad (Copa del Rey). Courtois even admitted that it was a big weakness for the team before the Champions League quarter-finals against Arsenal, a team that is good at scoring corners.

These conceded goals form a clear pattern: the fundamental collapse of the organizational structure in set ball defense. What is the price? Extremely heavy. If Real Madrid can avoid these corner kick concedes, they may have a chance to win the La Liga title before Barcelona. In the competition of the Spanish top league, the victory or defeat is often a slight slight margin. Real Madrid ended up ending the La Liga season with the highest number of corner goals conceded since the 2017/18 season.

The key issues that Xavi Alonso needs to be solved when taking office

After Xavi Alonso took charge of the coach, one of the stubborn problems he first solved was: to improve Real Madrid's corner kick defense ability. The key lies in clear responsibilities, reasonable alignment and attention to details. Air confrontation is a competition of timing, sense of position and defensive awareness. As a coach with extremely high tactical literacy, Alonso has proved that he attaches great importance to these aspects.

With the talent of Real Madrid players, this should not be a persistent problem. But it needs to be solved urgently. If the Galaxy wants to return to the top, it must defend corner kicks like a team that is determined to win the triple crown, rather than a team that generously gives away the opponent's chance to head freely.