Arda Guler is under pressure at Real Madrid, but Alonso still believes in him.

San Mames presents a new test for Arda Guler: after a lackluster performance against Girona, he was benched when Real Madrid visited Athletic Bilbao. The pressure mounted, but the message from Xabi Alonso was clear: faith in Guler remains unchanged.

Guler lost his starting spot, but his tactical role remains unchanged.

From being an indispensable link in Xabi Alonso's system, the midfielder born in 2005 now faces fierce competition in midfield from Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Federico Valverde. The issue is not just about playing time; it's also about the fitness standards and intensity that Alonso demands in recent big matches.

Alonso stated in his most recent press conference: "Arda has the ability to organize the game and create decisive passes. In any situation, he always brings flexibility to the team. We are helping Arda develop, but we must also understand that he will go through different stages in his career."

Statistics bear witness to Guler's difference.

Upon arriving at Real Madrid, Guler demonstrated his ability to connect with Kylian Mbappe in big matches, including victories against Juventus and Barcelona. His influence was quantified by statistics.

• This season: 1,291 minutes, 3 goals, 7 assists for Real Madrid.
• La Liga (according to Fotmob): 3 goals from xG 2.98; 5 assists; xA 3.17; 34 chances created.

That's the portrait of a creative "brain": xA and the number of chances created reflect Guler's constant positioning of his teammates for good finishing opportunities. When Real needed someone to control the tempo between the lines, directing the ball through a dense defensive block, Guler was the natural choice.

Competition in midfield and the challenge of prioritizing physical fitness.

In recent matches, the preference for a physically strong midfield with a wide range of activity has led to Guler's departure. After a lackluster 90 minutes against Girona and a place on the bench at San Mames, the professional message is clear: to regain his position, Guler needs to adapt to the intensity demands of the current system, where Camavinga, Tchouameni, and Valverde dominate in tackling and transitions.

However, the current challenges do not negate the core value that Alonso sees in his pupil: versatility and organizational ability. In a context where matches require solutions through moments of creativity, Guler's return remains wide open.

The packed schedule presents scoring opportunities.

Real Madrid are entering a demanding period with a packed schedule, including matches in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. Ahead is Celta Vigo at Santiago Bernabeu; further ahead are clashes with strong opponents like Manchester City. Squad rotation is essential, and that provides space for Guler to reassert his position.

Alonso stressed: "Arda needs time to adapt, but we believe he will be an important part of the team." As Real Madrid navigated the pivotal stages of the season, every time Guler stepped onto the pitch, it was an opportunity for his creative stats — from xA to chances created — to translate into a direct impact on results.