A major tactical headache is brewing at the Santiago Bernabeu, with a source inside Real Madrid's camp declaring the star-studded attacking trio of Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Junior as "incompatible."
The revelation comes amid a stuttering start to life under new manager Xabi Alonso, who has seen his team draw their last three La Liga matches, a run that has cost them top spot in the table.
The Core of the Problem
According to an individual with daily access to the club's Valdebebas training ground, the fundamental issue is not solely the new coach's methods. The insider told the Athletic that the sheer attacking talent at Alonso's disposal is creating an imbalance on the pitch.
"The problem is not Xabi," the source stated. "Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Bellingham are incompatible; you can’t have a balanced team with those three."
This presents a significant challenge for Alonso, who took over from Carlo Ancelotti in the summer. The club's strategy of adding Jude Bellingham in 2024 and Kylian Mbappe in 2025 to a squad already containing Vinicius was meant to create an unstoppable force, but the pieces are not yet fitting together.
Individual Brilliance vs. Collective Balance
On paper, the statistics are impressive. Mbappe has scored 23 of Real Madrid's 41 goals across all competitions this season. His strike in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Girona leaves him just six goals shy of Cristiano Ronaldo's club record for goals in a calendar year, set in 2013.
However, Vinicius has often appeared frustrated, notably reacting with anger to an early substitution by Alonso earlier in the campaign. Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham has struggled with injuries and an uncertain role, a situation compounded by his versatile "all-court" style of play which makes pinning him to one position difficult.
The English midfielder's desire to influence the game from multiple areas, while a strength, complicates the tactical structure when paired with two prolific, forward-thinking wingers.
Alonso's Public Defence Amid Internal Questions
Despite the growing external noise and reported internal doubts, Xabi Alonso has publicly presented a united front. Speaking after the latest setback, the Spanish boss insisted the squad remains cohesive.
"I've always felt that the team is united," Alonso said. "And that we all know what the objective is: to reach the end [of the season] with a chance to win everything. We're together in the good times, and the not-so-good times."
He added: "We have a good connection on a daily basis. Despite all the rumours and what some might say, we're very solid internally."
The coming weeks will be a major test for Alonso's man-management and tactical acumen. Finding a system that accommodates three of the world's most explosive talents without sacrificing defensive solidity is his most pressing puzzle. With the season's objectives on the line, Real Madrid cannot afford a prolonged period of tactical incompatibility.
