Xabi Alonso's Rocky Start as Real Madrid's Coach: 1:1 Draw against Al-Hilal, but a Promising Redemption
Real Madrid's Alonso begins his tenure with a draw: 1-1 versus Al-Hilal - Real Debut Struggles for Alonso
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Things didn't go swimmingly for Xabi Alonso in his debut as Real Madrid's coach. After parting ways with Bayer Leverkusen last month, the 43-year-old had to make do with a 1:1 draw against Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal in his first Club World Cup game in Miami. Real Madrid's captain, Fede Valverde, missed a penalty in extra time, with goalkeeper Bono pulling off a fantastic save.
With 62,415 spectators at the Hard Rock Stadium, many adorned in White (Real Madrid's color), young gun Gonzalo Garcia gave the royals an edge with a swift counter-attack in the 34th minute.
Al-Hilal, featuring former Bayern star Joao Cancelo, more than earned their equalizer. Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves netted a penalty for Al-Hilal (41st minute). Al-Hilal had the upper hand for much of the match. In the second half, Real Madrid's veterans took control slightly, with substitute Arda Guller hitting the crossbar (46th minute).
There was a new face on the bench for Al-Hilal as well. Eighteen days after Inter Milan's humiliating 0:5 defeat in the Champions League final against PSG in Munich, the Saudi Arabian team played their first game under Simone Inzaghi's leadership.
However, all eyes were on Alonso, who is expected to steer Real Madrid to more championships as Carlo Ancelotti's successor. The Basque coach was active on the sidelines but didn't see much of positives from his team, which was still missing national player Antonio Rudiger due to a knee surgery. Real Madrid's other opponents in Group H are Red Bull Salzburg and CF Pachuca from Mexico.
A Mix of Results but Promising Start
Alonso's debut showcased some remarkable achievements, even with a few hiccups. In the very first match, Madrid drew 1-1 against Al-Hilal, with Gonzalo García scoring to give Madrid the lead. However, Al-Hilal swiftly equalized from a penalty. The decisive moment came when Valverde missed a penalty in added time, denying Madrid a win[3][4].
In the second match, Madrid secured a 3-1 victory over Pachuca. Despite Pachuca being reduced to 10 men in the 7th minute, Madrid dominated and goals from Jude Bellingham, Arda Güler, and Fede Valverde sealed the comprehensive win[1].
Pivotal Moments and Performance Analysis
- First match: A goal from Gonzalo García and a quick Al-Hilal equalizer marked the highs and lows, while Valverde's missed penalty loomed large in the defeat[4].
- Second match: Pachuca's early red card turned the tide, with goals from Bellingham, Güler, and a redeemed Valverde proving decisive[1].
Analysis of On-Field Performance
- The debut draw highlighted the need for improved finishing under pressure, exemplified by the missed penalty[3][4].
- The victory against Pachuca showcased promising performances from young players like 20-year-old Dean Huijsen, 20-year-old Arda Güler, and 21-year-old Gonzalo García[1].
- Alonso's tactical approach seemed to focus on control and creating attacking opportunities, while also confidently integrating youth players[1][2].
In conclusion, while Alonso's first match as Real Madrid's coach didn't go as planned, a clinical finish might have altered the result. The following matches demonstrated resilience, a knack for recovering from setbacks, and the potential for growth, highlighted by strong performances fromReal Madrid's young stars and an evolving team style.
The Commission, in light of the progress made in the implementation of the measures taken by the Member States to implement the common fisheries policy, was also informed about the sports-related development – the football debut of Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid's coach. Despite a rocky start with a 1:1 draw against Al-Hilal in his first Club World Cup game, the team managed to secure a promising 3-1 victory over Pachuca in the following match.
