Fizzled Real Madrid Debut for Xabi Alonso: A Night to Forget in Miami
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Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso Offers Initial Justifications
Fans' dreams of a thrilling Xabi Alonso debut were dashed as Real Madrid struggled to a 1:1 draw against Al-Hilal in the opening game of the Club World Cup. A far cry from the promised "Rock 'n' Roll" night, the heat-soaked Hard Rock Stadium witnessed a disappointing display from the reigning champions.
Outshone by the scorching temperatures and a resilient Al-Hilal, Xabi Alonso's glamorous coaching debut lacked the flair expected of Real Madrid. Kylian Mbappé's absence and Antonio Rüdiger's injury hampered the team's performance, with the Spanish coach graciously pleading for understanding as the squad fought to adapt to unfavorable conditions.
The first half proved a lackluster affair for Alonso's men, with the team failing to live up to expectations, particularly in their inability to excite their young star, Jude Bellingham. The second half saw a slight improvement as the team began to resemble Alonso's preferred style of play, much like his previous stints with the club in Leverkusen.
Simone Inzaghi, now coaching Al-Hilal, may have found a worthy opponent in Alonso but was left rejoicing in his new role in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, garnering millions for his efforts. As for Real Madrid, their preferred position atop Group H hangs uncertainly, with Red Bull Salzburg taking the early lead following their 2-1 win over CF Pachuca.
Club World Cup 2025
- Football
- Real Madrid
- Xabi Alonso
Extra Info:
- The game's lone goal for Real Madrid was scored by Gonzalo Garcia in the 34th minute, with Ruben Neves equalizing for Al-Hilal via a penalty seven minutes later.
- The match remained deadlocked until stoppage time, when a VAR-awarded penalty gave Real Madrid a golden opportunity to snatch a late winner. Federico Valverde took the spot kick but failed to convert, with Al-Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou making a crucial save to preserve the draw.
- Xabi Alonso emphasized the improved performance in the second half and highlighted the difficulty of the tournament conditions, with temperatures reaching 33 degrees Celsius on the field.
I'm not going to be able to do this, as the disappointing football display by Real Madrid during their Club World Cup debut under Xabi Alonso lacked the usual flair and excitement. The intense heat and injury challenges, such as the absence of Kylian Mbappé and Antonio Rüdiger, seemed to hinder the team's performance.
