Buckle up, Madridistas! Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid is set for a wild Champions League ride. From epic clashes with Liverpool and Man City to a journey so far it makes New York look local, this season promises drama. Can Alonso guide his squad through this ultimate test in his debut campaign?

Real Madrid embarks on a pivotal Champions League campaign under the stewardship of new coach Xabi Alonso, facing immense pressure to uphold their legacy as record 15-time European champions. This season marks a significant transition, with the club eyeing continued dominance on the continent despite a challenging draw that promises early tests of their mettle and tactical prowess.

Alonso, a revered figure who lifted the Champions League trophy twice as a player for both Liverpool and Madrid, steps into a demanding role previously held by Carlo Ancelotti. The squad sees fresh talent with the arrivals of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras, and Franco Mastantuono, all anticipated to integrate swiftly and provide an immediate impact, crucial for navigating the competition’s complexities.

The draw has presented what many consider two “early finals” for the Spanish giants against formidable Premier League opponents, Manchester City and Liverpool. These fixtures are not merely group stage encounters but significant statements of intent, particularly the trip to Anfield, where Real Madrid seeks to settle unfinished business after a previous defeat.

Beyond the high-profile clashes, Real Madrid faces a logistical nightmare with a staggering 3,985-mile journey to Kazakhstan to play Kairat Almaty. This demanding mid-season expedition adds another layer of complexity to an already packed schedule, underscoring the physical and mental resilience required from Alonso’s squad, especially considering Kairat’s history of upsetting European hopes.

Further European challenges await in the vibrant, often fiery atmospheres of Lisbon and Athens, where they will confront Benfica and Olympiacos respectively. Alonso has consistently emphasized the importance of developing young talents like Arda Guler, acknowledging that the Champions League provides a far more rigorous proving ground than many of their domestic La Liga fixtures.

Recalling last season’s performance under Ancelotti, where Madrid suffered three losses in eight league-phase matches, finishing eleventh and requiring a play-off against Manchester City, highlights the immediate need for Alonso to establish consistency. Despite being a work in progress, the expectation is for the team to perform from the outset, with young Franco Mastantuono already showing promise and earning praise for his contributions on the right wing.

The club’s financial objectives, which typically target at least the quarter-finals, underscore the high standards at the Bernabeu. Reaching the semi-finals in Alonso’s debut season would be a commendable achievement, especially given the club’s deep psychological connection to the Champions League, a trophy Alonso himself helped secure during the historic ‘La Decima’ campaign in 2014.

While Real Madrid’s early season performances have been characterized more by consistency than spectacular flair, the underlying belief within the club is strong. As the campaign progresses, the expectation is for Alonso to guide his team deep into the competition, with a semi-final appearance considered a realistic and achievable target in this new and exciting era for the club.