Abelrado:“It’s very difficult to convince players who aren’t used to pressing to do it”

Former La Liga coach Abelardo, appearing on RadioEstadio Noche, believes Real Madrid players are struggling to adapt to a pressing scheme.

“It’s very difficult to convince players who aren’t used to pressing to do it, and Xabi Alonso comes with that idea and it’s costing him because the players don’t have that defensive mentality,” Abelardo said.

In reality, Xabi Alonso is trying to install a tactical model that has never truly taken root at Real Madrid. Some coaches have managed to press well in isolated matches or specific game states, but the club has never been a consistently successful pressing team built on that philosophy as a fundamental principle of play. If he is to be successful, it will take time.