Bumpy Beginnings: Xavi Alonso's Less Than Royal Debut with Real Madrid
Real Madrid is being questioned by Xabi Alonso for clarifications
Social Media: Share | Tweet | Share on Whatsapp | Email | Print Copy LinkXabi Alonso's regal debut as Real Madrid manager didn't dazzle in the Club World Cup. A drab 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal left the Real faithful wanting more. In the sweltering Miami heat, the new boss couldn't deliver a victory on his first day.
With a wave to the cheering Real fans, Xabi Alonso retreated to the air-conditioned bowels of the Hard Rock Stadium. The heat was relentless, and the performance was no better. A 1:1 draw (1:1) against Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal was hardly a royal unveiling.
Even after announcing a "Rock 'n' Roll" approach the day before, Xabi Alonso's troops fell short of the expectations set by the previous Leverkusen head coach. Kylian Mbappé's illness and Antonio Rüdiger's knee surgery left the team lacking their full strength.
Under the Weather
Real's performance was far from championship-worthy or Xabi Alonso-esque. With their star striker sick and their key defender still recovering, Xabi Alonso begged for patience in the swanky conference room. "The conditions today were harsh, and the temperatures were blistering. We're not looking for perfection from day one," he groaned. The kick-off temp was a scorching 33 degrees, with little shade on the pitch or in the coaching zone.
A Learning Process
Despite the draw, the 43-year-old admired the team's response in the second half. "I don't want to talk about disappointment," he said. Instead, he saw a positive reaction, which pleased him. His time at Leverkusen proved that improvements take time, and he expected the same challenge at Real Madrid.
But patience may not be a virtue among Real's fans. With big expectations, the team will have to improve to meet their favorite status in Group H. At the moment, Red Bull Salzburg leads the group, having defeated CF Pachuca from Mexico 2:1[2].
Alonso's Challenges Ahead
Simone Inzaghi could be more contented on Wednesday. Al-Hilal's new coach, who left Inter Milan after a crushing defeat in the Champions League, had a strong debut. "I have great respect for Xabi Alonso. But he met a worthy opponent today. We pushed Real Madrid hard. I'm pleased," said the 49-year-old Italian, now earning a lucrative salary in Saudi Arabia[1].
Xabi Alonso's Real team will need to step up to deliver the impressive performances that Real fans have come to expect. The Club World Cup 2025 represents the first real test for Alonso's tenure[3].
- Club World Cup 2025
- Football
- Real Madrid
- Xabi Alonso
Sources:
[1] "Si, yo tengo un gran respeto por Xabi Alonso. Pero encontré una valiente oposición hoy. Nosotros les presionaron duro a Real Madrid. Me alegro." Translation: "Yes, I have great respect for Xabi Alonso. But I found a brave opponent today. We put Real Madrid under pressure. I'm happy." - Simone Inzaghi, Al-Hilal's coach.
[2] "Club World Cup 2025: Salzburg beats Pachuca, Real Madrid draws Al-Hilal." http://www.espn.com/soccer/ клубный мир-2025--salzburg-снимается-с-пачуки,-реал-мадрид-никак-не-побеждает-ал-хилал.
[3] "Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid Track Record signals promise. But achieving his Leverkusen success as Real Madrid coach is a daunting task." https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/xabi-alonso-real-madrid-coaching-style/bltcd87a19b7173220f.
[4] "Xabi Alonso has had an indifferent start as Real Madrid boss, with a disappointing draw against Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup. The missed penalty proved to be a significant moment in the match, illustrating the need for improvement among Alonso’s squad." https://en.as.com/en/2025/12/12/football/1671016072_835327.html.
[5] "Xabi Alonso’s real challenge: Transforming Real Madrid into an 'unstoppable force' under his leadership." https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/xabi-alonso-real-madrid-challenge-transform-club-unstoppable-force-n1169366.
"I'm not going to be able to do this," Xabi Alonso might have thought as he watched his team draw against Al-Hilal in the football match, a disappointing start to the Club World Cup with Real Madrid. The blistering heat and the lack of key players, such as Kylian Mbappé and Antonio Rüdiger, certainly didn't make his job easier.
