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6d ago

Real Madrid Plans Overhaul After 4-0 Club World Cup Semifinal Defeat

Xabi Alonso pledged a tactical reset following his makeshift side’s breakdown at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.

Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Semi Final - Paris St Germain v Real Madrid - MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. - July 9, 2025 Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso looks on after the match REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Semi Final - Paris St Germain v Real Madrid - MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. - July 9, 2025 Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso looks dejected after the match REUTERS/Lee Smith
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Semi Final - Paris St Germain v Real Madrid - MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. - July 9, 2025 Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso before the match REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli
Alonso with Luka Modric, who played his last game for Real Madrid in the defeat by Paris Saint-Germain

Overview

  • Paris Saint-Germain scored four unanswered goals to defeat Real Madrid 4-0 in the Club World Cup semifinal in East Rutherford on July 9.
  • Alonso said the loss was a necessary reality check and described it as “good for us” to guide the team’s off-season rebuild.
  • Alonso’s switch from a back-five to a back-four defense backfired, leaving Real Madrid exposed to swift PSG attacks.
  • Real Madrid has transitioned into off-season mode, conducting performance reviews and preparing a wholesale overhaul of tactics and personnel ahead of the 2025–26 campaign.
  • The defeat marked the final appearances for club stalwarts Luka Modric and Lucas Vazquez as they bid farewell to the squad.