Rockin' but Rollin': Xabi Alonso's Shaky Debut with Real Madrid
Real Madrid is currently under investigation by Xabi Alonso seeking to understand the reasons behind certain actions.
Twitter Instagram Email Print Copy Link Xabi Alonso's rockin' debut as a coach for Real Madrid didn't exactly set the stage on fire. A mere draw against Al-Hilal in the FIFA Club World Cup left fans yearning for more. The heat at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami wasn't the only challenge for the new coach; the lackluster performance from players like Jude Bellingham fell short of the high expectations set by the former Leverkusen coach.
Before the match, Alonso, 43, declared it was "Rock 'n' Roll" time. However, the football arena saw performances from Real's star striker Kylian Mbappé and the national player Antonio Rüdiger, who was recovering from a knee operation, that were neither championship-worthy nor redolent of Alonso's coaching prowess.**
The Disappointing Display
Real's performance under the auspices of their new coach, a successor to the legendary Carlo Ancelotti, didn't meet fans' expectations. After the unfavorable display, Alonso had no choice but to ask for understanding in his post-match press conference, "These are not ideal competition conditions. It's hot; temperatures soar, and the players tire."
At kick-off, a whopping 33 degrees sweltered in the shade, with little relief under the blazing sun. The pitch and the coaching zone offered no respite either. Despite the punishing conditions, Alonso asked for patience. "It's a process," he said. "We can't expect perfection from day one."**
Close but No Cigar
Sadly, Real's performance in the first half was less than inspiring. Fede Valverde missed a crucial penalty in extra time, enabling Al-Hilal's Portuguese goalkeeper Bono to secure a 1-1 stalemate. Real youngster Gonzalo Garcia was the first to score, but the level playing field didn't last long, as Ruben Neves, a bold outsider from Riyadh, responded with a confident penalty.
Arda Güler, another Real rising star, had a post-shot opportunity, but it wasn't enough to save the day for the Spanish powerhouse. Alonso voiced dissatisfaction with the team's performance in the first half but complimented them on their reaction in the second half.**
In Pursuit of Perfection
The media was quick to criticize Alonso's decisions during his first game as Real Madrid's manager. Alonso's attack-focused strategy, which was swiftly adopted from his days as a player, left some analysts questioning his judgment. Fans, too, began to pressure Alonso for quick results, as the team was expected to outshine its competitors during the colossal tournament in America.
However, the first-year coach remains undeterred, maintaining his quest for perfection. Alonso's Real team will have to improve to live up to their favored status in Group H, as they vie for the top position. Currently, Red Bull Salzburg leads Group H following their 2-1 victory over CF Pachuca from Mexico.**
Source: ntv.de, Klaus Bergmann, dpa
- FIFA Club World Cup 2025
- Football
- Real Madrid
- Xabi Alonso
Enrichment Data Insights:
- Alonso's coaching style is distinctly attack-focused, as seen in his former team, Leverkusen.
- Some analysts voiced concerns regarding Alonso's decisions in his first game as Real Madrid's coach.
- Fans and media are demanding quick results from Alonso and Real Madrid, putting pressure on the team to perform better.
- Red Bull Salzburg currently leads Group H in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
I'm not going to be able to do this, I thought as I watched the football match between Real Madrid and Al-Hilal. Despite my passion for sports and coaching prowess from my days at Leverkusen, the performance of our team during the FIFA Club World Cup didn't meet expectations.
