Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso drops hints at strategy against Barcelona for El Clasico | OneFootball

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has dropped several hints at how his side will approach their El Clasico clash against Barcelona. The Basque manager has secured 11 wins out of 12 this season, but after a heavy defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup, and another in the Madrid derby, his coaching in the big games is under the microscope.

Their loss to Atletico Madrid was emphatic, and at points Los Blancos tried to continue their high pressing system, and at others, they dropped deep to hit Los Rojiblancos on the break. During his pre-match press conference, Alonso was asked about how he might approach beating Barcelona.

How to attack Barcelona’s high line

The key could well be in Barcelona’s famed high offside line, and finding a way around that – it is certainly the factor that many are pointing to. Alonso was asked about his method in trying to do just that.

“Situations can arise due to the qualities of our players. Before the offside line, we have to do more, small, fundamental details that can make the difference in these matches, he told Marca.

Are Real Madrid playing well?

It is a question that has been asked on several occasions, and thus far the jury remains out in the local media. Alonso believed that his side were putting the building blocks in place.

“We’re competing very well, but I think we can play even better. We’re building a solid foundation to be reliable. We have to take the next step, but we’re playing good football.”

Image via Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Meanwhile Alonso perhaps pointed to what he wanted to see from his players during El Clasico.

“The most important thing is us: our quality and our strength. Then there are the small game plans about what we want, with and without the ball. We have to be together, control the pressure and the gaps. That’s what we’re building on to be more consistent in our performance.”

Reading between Alonso’s lines

While no doubt Real Madrid will look to break on Barcelona at points, it seems Alonso intends to try and impose the controlled, organised system of attacking that has characterised his side so far. Los Blancos have imposed a higher press of their own, but it seems that beyond attempting to beat Barcelona’s offside trap, Alonso is keen for his side to dominate the game with their identity, rather than altering anything radically to face Barcelona.