Xabi Alonso's Reign Kicks Off with a Draw: A Rocky Start for Real Madrid
Real Madrid is currently under scrutiny as Xabi Alonso seeks clarification.
From the lively scene of the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Real Madrid's new coach, Xabi Alonso, faced a tough challenge in his debut match - a draw against Al-Hilal. Fans, eagerly awaiting the new era under the former player, were left slightly disappointed after a lackluster performance.
The scorching temperatures in the stadium may have played a part in Alonso's exhaustion following the 100-minute clash, but the 43-year-old described it as more than just the heat that wore him down. The 1:1 (1:1) draw against the Saudi team was hardly the grand entrance he'd hoped for.
Despite promising a spectacle of "Rock 'n' Roll" the previous day, Alonso's experienced players like Jude Bellingham didn't quite deliver the performance he expected, especially at the start. Particularly lacking were the absences of star striker Kylian Mbappé and the not-yet-fit Antonio Rüdiger.
A Royal Beginning Marred by Missteps
Real's performance, without Mbappé and Rüdiger, was less than title-worthy. Alonso requested patience from the fans during the press conference, acknowledging the conditions of the extended tournament in America and the less-than-ideal circumstances at the start of his coaching tenure.
The missed penalty by Fede Valverde in extra time, saved by Al-Hilal's strong goalkeeper, Bono, intensified the disappointment. Real's young star, Arda Güler, managed a shot off the crossbar, but it wasn't enough to secure a victory.
Alonso wasn't content with the first-half performance, but he appreciated the resilience shown in the second half. "It wasn't frustration," he said. "I saw a good reaction in the second half, and that's what I liked."
- Soccer * Alonso Begins Real Adventure with a Royal Stumble
- Club World Cup 2025
- Real Madrid
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Additional Insights:
- The opening match for Alonso marked Real Madrid's entry into the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, held in the United States[1].
- Gonzalo Garcia, a youth academy player, scored the opening goal for Real Madrid, showcasing Alonso's willingness to trust young talent[1].
- The defensive system, particularly on the left side, appeared confused and in need of improvement. Some new defensive signings, Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold, were yet to integrate[2].
- Al-Hilal's performance, led by notable players Rubén Neves and Koulibaly, demonstrated strong wing play and a high-pressing strategy that made Real struggle in the early stages[1].
- Alonso's opponents, Al-Hilal, were coached by Simone Inzaghi, who showed improvement only 18 days after the Champions League final loss with Inter Milan and managed a very good start as Al-Hilal's head coach[1].
The pressure remains high for Alonso's Real Madrid team to improve and live up to their favorites' role in Group H. For now, the lead is held by Red Bull Salzburg, who defeated CF Pachuca from Mexico in their opening match. As Alonso embarks on his coaching journey, it's clear that he faces a challenging task to turn Real Madrid into the "unstoppable force" they have been in the past.
I'm not going to be able to do this, Alonso admitted after Real Madrid's disappointing performance in a draw against Al-Hilal. Despite his aspirations to bring a "Rock 'n' Roll" spectacle to soccer, the absence of key players like Kylian Mbappé and Antonio Rüdiger, coupled with the challenges of coaching a team in a foreign land and adapting to new systems, have made the task feel overwhelming.
