Xabi Alonso breaks Carlo Ancelotti tradition during first Real Madrid match and fans don't know what to think

Xabi Alonso reportedly broke a Carlo Ancelotti tradition before taking charge of his first Real Madrid match.

On Wednesday, all eyes were on the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami as Madrid came to town to kick off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign against Al Hilal.

The match ended in a 1-1 draw after Gonzalo Garcia's opener was cancelled out by Ruben Neves.

Aside from Alonso making his debut on the touchline, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen played their first match for Los Blancos.

Prior to kick off, it appears that Alonso had broken one of the traditions that Ancelotti had when he was the Madrid boss.

Spanish news outlet MARCA stated on their live blog: "Well... it seems that with Xabi Alonso we won't know the Real Madrid starting eleven two hours before the start of the match."

Reacting on social media, one fan said: "Ancelotti would have dropped the line up by now."

Another joked: "Dear Xabi, please follow Madrid's tradition or leave."

A third fan added: "You are telling me we need to get used to match lineups coming 1hr before match now like every other team. What is this woke nonsense?"

Someone else wrote: "Carlo spoiled us with those early lineups. I lowkey felt that gave our opponents a few minutes more to tweak stuff."

A fifth commented: "Lmao just realised we have lost our early starting 11 privileges! That was actually fun while it lasted."

Xabi Alonso took charge of Real Madrid for the first time. Image: Getty

Speaking after the match, Alonso said: "The second half was considerably better than the first. We were lacking in several areas in the first period, both with and without the ball.

"We were losing the ball too quickly, we couldn't find a balance. They're things we have talked about but we took a while to get to grips with them. I'm pleased with the reaction at half-time. We managed to give a new look to the game, change the pace a bit and find more guys to bring the right rhythm and control to the play."

Madrid are back in action on Sunday when they take on Mexican side Pachuca.