Stumbling Start: Xabi Alonso Faces Criticism as Real Madrid Draw Against Al-Hilal in Club World Cup Debut
Real Madrid is currently facing questions from Xabi Alonso, who is demanding clarifications.
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Real Madrid's much-anticipated debut under Coach Xabi Alonso didn't exactly go as planned. In the Club World Cup, they could only muster a disappointing draw against Al-Hilal at the Hard Rock Stadium. Fans were left disappointed and yearning for more from the footballing giants.
After a brief post-match interview, Alonso, drenched in sweat, waved goodbye to the Real Madrid fans before heading back to the air-conditioned sanctuary of the stadium. The blistering heat wasn't the only challenge during the grueling 100-minute match, including extra time. Alonso had little reason to celebrate – a 1-1 draw was hardly a fitting welcome to the Real Madrid hot seat.
Though Alonso enthusiastically promised "Rock 'n' Roll" during his pre-match hype, the team's performance against Al-Hilal fell short of expectations. Stars such as Jude Bellingham failed to impress in front of the 62,415 fans, with many in attendance decked out in iconic Real Madrid white.
Double Trouble: Injuries to Mbappé and Rüdiger Affect Team Performance
Real's subpar performance was largely attributed to the absence of star striker Kylian Mbappé, who was under the weather, and the still-recovering national defender Antonio Rüdiger following a knee operation. With their two key players sidelined, Alonso's squad struggled for cohesion and consistency, particularly in the first half.
After a dismal first half, Alonso urged patience from the media. "We can't expect perfection from day one," he admitted, acknowledging the challenge of instantly replicating his storied success at Leverkusen. Real Madrid's notorious fans, however, are not exactly renowned for their patience. Alonso faces heightened scrutiny as he battles to secure notable results, particularly during this high-profile tournament in America.
Unexpected Roadblock: Penalty Miss and Second-Half Redemption
The match had its moments of promise. Real's young player Gonzalo García struck the opening goal in the 34th minute, only for Al-Hilal to equalize through a penalty from Ruben Neves just seven minutes later. The second half saw a more composed performance from Real, with Alonso expressing satisfaction with the improvement.
The chances for a victory were there, but they slipped away. Fede Valverde missed a crucial penalty in extra time, which Yassine Bounou saved for Al-Hilal, ensuring the draw persisted. Arda Güler also had a shot that narrowly missed the target.
Simone Inzaghi, Al-Hilal's new head coach, was understandably pleased with the result, expressing admiration for Alonso while acknowledging that his team had delivered a threatening performance against the favorites.
As Group H leaders, Red Bull Salzburg continues to exert pressure on Real Madrid following their 2-1 victory over CF Pachuca. With county rivals Real facing mounting expectations and a challenging road ahead, Alonso's future at the helm hangs precariously in the balance.
- Club World Cup 2025
- Football
- Real Madrid
- Xabi Alonso
I'm not going to be able to do this, I thought as I watched the disappointing 1-1 draw between Real Madrid and Al-Hilal, by the time it was over, fans were left yearning for more from the footballing giants. In the midst of the club's subpar performance, stars such as Jude Bellingham and even the much-anticipated Xabi Alonso himself, failed to impress, despite the excitement surrounding Alonso's debut as the team's coach.
