Real Madrid have made a key new addition to Xabi Alonso’s backroom staff | OneFootball

With the appointment of Xabi Alonso as the new manager in June, Real Madrid ushered in a new era at the club.

The start, so far, has been positive under the Spanish tactician, especially with the team racking up seven wins in seven games in all competitions so far.

It is clear that Alonso and his staff have been hard at work to ensure that the players get used to their style of play and tactics at the earliest possible, and the efforts are paying off.

Real Madrid add a set-piece analyst to staff

Now, according to Guillermo Rai of The Athletic, Real Madrid have made another key addition to Xabi Alonso’s backroom staff this season.

Indeed, Los Blancos have hired Jesus Rueda as the team’s new set-piece analyst this season after he impressed with his work at Leganes in the season gone by.

Changing things at Real Madrid. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Rueda has joined the team of a couple of more analysts that Real Madrid brought in this season, in the form of Tristan Celador and Oscar Michel, both of whom were already at the club, working with the women’s team last season.

Defending set-pieces was a major concern for Real Madrid last season, with several opponents exploiting the weakness.

So, it makes sense for the Merengues to bring in Rueda, in their bid to address the matter head on.

Real Madrid have only conceded three goals in La Liga this season from six games and one in the UEFA Champions League – one of which emanated from a corner-kick (vs Mallorca) and another from the penalty spot.