Regret in Madrid for the departure of this star

Real Madrid is going through a delicate moment in this final stretch of the year. As of December 30, the team is struggling to convey solid sensations, and Xabi Alonso's project continues to raise more doubts than certainties at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Results have been irregular, and although the standings are not dramatic, the team's gameplay shows structural deficiencies that are starting to seriously worry within the white club.

Real Madrid under Xabi Alonso, a team lacking control in midfield

Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid fails to dominate matches as historically demanded by its environment. The main problem is clearly located in midfield, where the team struggles to organize the game, maintain possession continuity, and control the rhythms. The lack of a player capable of organizing, pausing, and making decisions in the final third is severely penalizing the white outfit.

This deficiency causes Real Madrid to excessively depend on individual actions, especially on Kylian Mbappé. The Frenchman is supporting the team with decisive goals that mask many lackluster performances. However, this dependency is not sustainable in the long run. When the Frenchman does not show up, the team is left without clear solutions, highlighting a deeper collective issue.

In addition, there is a defensive fragility unbecoming of a title contender. The lack of balance between lines constantly exposes the defense, which is forced to defend with a numerical disadvantage and many meters behind them. All of this has a common origin: the midfield's inability to protect and give meaning to the game.

Luka Modric shines at San Siro while the Bernabéu mourns

While Real Madrid seeks answers, Luka Modric is experiencing a second youth far from Chamartín. After his contract expired in the summer, the Croatian decided to embark on a new adventure at AC Milan, where he has become one of the main references for the Italian team.

At San Siro, Modric is delivering stellar performances that have propelled Milan to the top positions in Serie A, just one point away from the lead. His ability to manage the game, thread impossible passes, and lead through experience is making a difference in Italy.

The contrast is evident. While Modric dominates matches in the European elite, Real Madrid precisely struggles in the area where the Croatian was always a game-changer. In the club's offices and among part of the fanbase, the feeling is growing that his departure was premature and that his presence could have eased many of the current issues.

A strategic error that conditions Real Madrid's present

The decision not to renew Luka Modric was made thinking of a natural transition that, so far, has not occurred. Real Madrid opted to rejuvenate the squad and hand control of the midfield to other profiles, but the reality is that none have managed to assume the role that the Croatian played for over a decade.

Xabi Alonso now faces a major challenge. He must find internal solutions or adjust his system to compensate for an absence felt every match. The squad has talent but lacks a conductor capable of organizing the team in key moments.

At the Santiago Bernabéu, observing Luka Modric's performance in Milan and the team's current issues, the regret becomes increasingly evident. Another year of the Croatian could have been the perfect bridge to an orderly transition. Now, Real Madrid is paying the price for a decision that, in hindsight, seems to have come too soon.