If Real Madrid are to make a success of the Xabi Alonso era they will have to embrace their former midfielder’s quest for structure. In turn, though, Alonso will come away from his new side’s encouraging 3-0 win over Red Bull Salzburg in Philadelphia knowing that keeping everyone onside will be easier if he continues to find ways to let Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior have their share of the limelight.
There are times when it seems that the Club World Cup would function just as well if it was simply Madrid touring the US, emerging for stadium appearances and playing no actual football. A lot of people just want to see the stars. There were shrieks when Bellingham strolled out a little over an hour before this game kicked off and gave a partisan crowd a regal wave. It was a reminder that Carlo Ancelotti remained part of the show so long merely by remembering that his main function was to let others take centre stage.
