Xabi Alonso’s era at Real Madrid kicks off this Wednesday, June 18, with a debut against Al-Hilal in the FIFA Club World Cup. However, before the ball starts rolling at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, the Basque coach is already dealing with his first headache: sorting out the defensive structure with newcomers Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen.

New signings still adjusting

The arrival of Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool has sparked excitement among Madrid fans. The English right-back, the second confirmed signing for this tournament, has already completed his first training session at Valdebebas, showing good physical condition after his recent call-up with the England national team.

Despite his undeniable quality and vision, he is still adjusting to Xabi Alonso’s system. In his first day with the squad, he was welcomed by close friend and fellow countryman Jude Bellingham, who’s helping him settle in. However, with just 26 minutes of recent game time, his match sharpness remains uncertain heading into the debut.

Meanwhile, Dean Huijsen, the young center-back signed after a loan spell at Roma, also raises some questions. Although technically gifted and promising, his youth and limited top-level experience suggest he may be more of a long-term bet than an immediate solution.

Carvajal not fully fit

Adding to the challenge is the absence of experienced defender Dani Carvajal, who is still recovering from a serious knee injury that sidelined him for much of the season. While his recovery is on track, he's not yet ready to play a leading role in the opening matches.

This leaves Xabi Alonso with the tricky task of building a solid defense in record time—balancing talent, experience, and match fitness. While the individual quality of his new signings is clear, the main challenge lies in forming a cohesive unit from day one.

On Wednesday, against a competitive Al-Hilal side, the football world will find out whether this new Madrid project begins with strength… or whether Alonso’s first big test comes from his defensive setup.