Super Cup final seals Real Madrid player's fate:Xabi Alonso knocks him out

The final of the Spanish Super Cup is already underway and the first surprises have come from the team coached by Xabi Alonso. Real Madrid, which comes into the match with major doubts regarding its play and defensive solidity after the last games, has completely changed its approach. Xabi has a very clear idea in his mind and has put it into practice on the field in order to seek a surprise, and it seems that, for now, he is managing to do so.

The first 10 minutes have been much less intense than expected because of the changes that Xabi Alonso has introduced. Barça, which has arrived at the big occasion with its best starting eleven, has been surprised by Real Madrid's plan and has been extremely cautious. The idea of placing two lines of four, with Vinícius and Gonzalo up front, has closed many of the spaces that Flick's men had planned to exploit.

Tchouaméni has dropped back to play as a center-back again, while Asencio has moved to full-back. This way, Valverde and Rodrygo have occupied both wings, which allows Xabi Alonso to keep the maximum defensive commitment from his players. The result, at least in the first half, is quite positive, although these changes have and will have direct consequences for the white locker room.

The final of the Super Cup condemns a Real Madrid player: Xabi Alonso leaves him KO

A few minutes before the opening whistle, Real Madrid has posted on its social media a line-up different from the one that Xabi has finally fielded. Arda Güler was set to start, leaving Gonzalo on the bench and moving all the previously mentioned changes back to their natural positions. However, to everyone's surprise, the one who has partnered Vinícius has been the academy player.

This decision, together with the good result that it is producing and the limited playing time that he has had in recent weeks, puts Arda Güler in a rather compromised position.  It seems that he has lost his status as an undisputed starter that he earned at the beginning of the season. We must remember that he has gone from being Mbappé's best partner to being left out of the starting eleven in the final of the Spanish Super Cup.

On top of all this are the rumors coming from England, where reports place Arda Güler on Arsenal's radar. Real Madrid's idea is for him to stay, but if his role keeps declining anything can happen, especially if we take into account the project that Arteta is building.