Matchday four of LaLiga EA Sports comes with added tension for Real Madrid, who visit Real Sociedad with a clear message from their coach, Xabi Alonso. The manager made it clear in a press conference that a starting spot won’t be a privilege but a reward for daily effort: “Whoever deserves it will play.”

Internal competition and squad rotations

With the transfer window closed, the Basque coach stressed that competition within the squad will be key to overall performance. In particular, he didn’t rule out Rodrygo Goes returning to the right wing to join Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé, forming a trident that excites Madrid fans.

"Fortunately, we have healthy competitiveness within the squad. It’s good for players to be pushed to give their best. No one should feel left out of the group; whoever deserves it will play, and that will be the case throughout the season," said Xabi Alonso.

The coach also emphasized the need for patience when it comes to assessing tactical variations. “We can’t draw definitive conclusions in such a short time. We need to wait for a longer stretch to evaluate,” he remarked about the possibility of fielding Rodrygo and Vinícius together in the starting XI.

Mbappé and shared leadership

Although Kylian Mbappé is enjoying a great moment at the club, Xabi Alonso insisted that responsibility cannot fall solely on the Frenchman. “Kylian is in very good form, not only in football terms but also in personality. He’s taking on an important role, but it must be shared in order to build a strong dressing room,” he explained.

The coach, facing his first congested fixture list in charge of Real Madrid, announced that rotations will be inevitable in the coming weeks. Los Blancos will play seven matches in just 21 days, between league and Champions League fixtures, making it necessary to distribute minutes across the squad.

Return to San Sebastián and possible tactical tweaks

The clash with Real Sociedad will be a special one for Xabi Alonso, who returns to his former home and expects his father, Periko Alonso, to be in the stands. “Visiting Anoeta is always demanding. Every match carries weight, because those points can prove decisive in the long run,” he acknowledged.

He also didn’t rule out switching to a back five with three center-backs, a system he has used in the past: “We have five center-backs and can adapt. We haven’t done it in these three matches, but it remains a real option,” he confirmed.

With a demanding schedule ahead and the need to stay at the top of the table, Real Madrid prepares for a crucial stretch, with their coach’s message loud and clear: in this team, daily effort will determine who earns a place in the starting XI.