The most obvious lesson Alonso learned against PSG was a front three of Kylian Mbappé, Gonzalo García and Vinícius Júnior does not work. After only starting two forwards in Real Madrid’s five consecutive victories in the Club World Cup, the former Bayer Leverkusen boss gave the nod to the three attackers in a head-scratching decision.

Former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has backed new head coach Xabi Alonso to make "big changes" at the club, saying that he won't be afraid to drop anyone.

Alongside a strong central defender — Antonio Rudiger or Eder Militao — and the pace of Raul Asencio on the opposite side of the back three, Trent Alexander-Arnold would be able to push on down the right, while Vinicius Jr and Mbappe could drift towards the left flank to combine.