Xabi Alonso's Kickoff as Real Madrid Coach: A Rollercoaster Debut
Real Madrid faces questioning from Xabi Alonso amid unresolved issues
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Xabi Alonso's inaugural match as Real Madrid's head coach didn't pan out as planned, leaving fans at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami disappointed. In the Club World Cup against Al-Hilal, the fans were hoping for more than just a lackluster draw. After all, perfection might be an impossibility from the get-go.
Following a hasty interview on the sidelines, Alonso gave a nod to the adoring Real fans before quickly retreating into the air-conditioned tunnels of the Hard Rock Stadium. The merciless heat wasn't the only challenge; the 100-minute game, including extra time, demanded a lot from the fresh Real Madrid coach. Alas, there was little to cheer about, as Al-Hilal from Saudi Arabia managed to hold onto a 1-1 draw, far from a dream coaching start for Alonso.
On the eve of the game, the 43-year-old had promised "Rock 'n' Roll" on the pitch. However, the football stars like Jude Bellingham, performing in front of 62,415 spectators, most clad in Real white, fell short of the expectations Alonso had set as the former Leverkusen master coach.
Mbappé and Rüdiger Unavailable
Real's performance wavered without star striker Kylian Mbappé and Antonio Rüdiger, absent after undergoing knee surgery. Following the dismal display, Alonso had little choice but to appeal for patience in the cool press conference room of the stadium. "Conditions weren't ideal during this tournament," Alonso grumbled, alluding to the soaring temperatures. The 33-degree heat outside didn't seem to reflect on either the pitch or the coaching zone.
Alonso pleaded for more time, pointing out that "it's a process." Fans and critics, well-versed in the unprecedented demands at Real Madrid, know that a patient approach is a rarity in a footballing giant. Alonso's prior experience as a successful Real player notwithstanding, he remains under pressure to deliver quick results, even in this extensive tournament overseas.
A Mixed Bag of Performances
Though the outcome could have been different, Al-Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved Federico Valverde's penalty in extra time, denying Real Madrid the victory. Gonzalo Garcia pitched in a goal for Real, while the Portuguese Ruben Neves clinched one for Al-Hilal, converting a penalty coolly. Arda Güler's shot ricocheted off the crossbar, leaving fans with a specter of "what could have been."
Alonso conceded that the first half was unimpressive and that the team didn't play to its potential. "I wouldn't call it frustration," he said. "I saw a good reaction in the second half, and that pleased me." In his time at Leverkusen, it took a while for Alonso's team to perform to his expectations, but Inzaghi fared better on Wednesday. Despite a dismal 0-5 loss with Inter Milan in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain just three weeks prior, Inzaghi commenced as Al-Hilal’s head coach with a solid start.
"I respect Xabi Alonso as a person," Inzaghi acknowledged. "But today, he faced a worthy opponent. We were dangerous for Real Madrid. I am satisfied," the 49-year-old Italian added, now earning a lucrative sum in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Alonso’s Real team must improve to live up to their favorites’ tag in Group H if they are to challenge Red Bull Salzburg, which leads the group after defeating CF Pachuca 2–1.
- Club World Cup 2025
- Football
- Real Madrid
- Xabi Alonso
Enrichment Data:- Xabi Alonso’s first match as Real Madrid coach resulted in a 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup 2025. The game was played on June 18, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.- Key changes in the game included Gonzalo García, who was given a chance up front due to Kylian Mbappé’s absence, and the defensive error on Real’s left side leading to Al-Hilal’s goal.- Alonso acknowledged that the team's defensive system needed work and improvement and that it had been a learning experience for him as the coach.- The introduction of Arda Güler at halftime provided more attacking impetus, and the team demonstrated a better performance in the second half, according to Alonso.- Alonso emphasized that the transformation and implementation of his ideas are a process that requires time, as the team was still adjusting during the tournament with limited preparation.- Uruguayan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved a potential game-winning penalty by Federico Valverde in extra time, ensuring the draw.
I'm not going to be able to do this again, the Real Madrid coach admitted, referring to a sports match. The disappointing draw in football against Al-Hilal was a stark contrast to Xabi Alonso's promising debut, especially considering the absence of star players like Kylian Mbappé and Antonio Rüdiger.
