Xabi Alonso's Debut at Club World Cup: A Mixed Bag for Real Madrid
Struggling in Real's Premiere: Alonso Finds No Enjoyment
Miami (dpa) - The inaugural match for Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid's coach turned out to be a rollercoaster ride. A quick draw against Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal, marking the first game at the Club World Cup in Miami, saw the Spanish giants struggle to assert their dominance.
Riding high on a sea of white supporters at the Hard Rock Stadium (62,415 attendees), youngster Gonzalo Garcia scored the opening goal for Real in a counterattack (34'), putting them in the lead. Al-Hilal, featuring former Bayern player João Cancelo, equalized through a penalty converted by Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves (41'). Al-Hilal outperformed Real for most of the game. Post-break, Real boosted their gameplay, with substitute Arda Güler hitting the crossbar (46').
Simone Inzaghi's Debut with Al-Hilal
Beneath the scorching 33-degree heat, coaching reins also passed to Al-Hilal. Following their bitter 0-5 defeat in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on 25th May, the Saudi Arabian team played their first game under the guidance of Simone Inzaghi. Amidst the limelight, eyes focused on Alonso, aiming to restore Real Madrid to their title-winning days as the bequeathed successor to Carlo Ancelotti.
Match Analysis
- Key Moments:
- Defensive Concerns: Al-Hilal exhibited early dominance, invoking concerns about Real's defensive stability as they conceded 11 shots to Real's 5 in an unstable first half.
- Garcia's Goal: Despite the pressure, Gonzalo Garcia found the back of the net for Real, kick-starting the game.
- Penalty Scuffle: A defensive misunderstanding between Fran Garcia and Raul Asencio led to a penalty for Al-Hilal, which Ruben Neves successfully converted, leveling the score.
- Valverde's Miss: In a heart-wrenching moment, Federico Valverde's penalty was saved in added time, denying Real Madrid a last-minute victory[2].
Player Performance
- Defensive Disarray: The backline demonstrated a lack of coordination, especially on the left side, and was challenged to manage Al-Hilal's offensive transitions.
- Midfield Miscommunication: A discordance between defense and midfield was evident due to limited preparation time for Alonso's squad and recent international commitments for many players.
- Fresh Faces: Newcomers Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold made their Real Madrid debuts but were unable to make significant impacts as the team struggled to find cohesion.
- Daring Choices: Alonso exhibited a bold approach, starting young players and pocketing Kylian Mbappé on the bench[2].
Group Opponents
- Al-Hilal: A formidable opponent, coached by Simone Inzaghi, Al-Hilal showcased well-honed tactics and offensive gusto throughout the game, posing a persistent threat to the Real Madrid defense.
- Group Matches: Information regarding other group opponents was scarce, but the Club World Cup regularly features top clubs from various continents, ensuring Real Madrid faces additional high-intensity competition in upcoming matches[4].
Conclusion
While Alonso's debut exhibitioned ambition and calculated risks, improvements are needed to shore up Real Madrid's defense and midfield dynamics to remain competitive in the tournament. The match against Al-Hilal serves as a wake-up call for Alonso as the path to reclaiming glory is paved with challenges and opportunities[3][2].
In the light of Al-Hilal's extensive dominance and offensive performance, questions arise about the defensive stability of Real Madrid's new-look squad under Xabi Alonso, as they conceded more shots than they took in the first half of the match. Despite the young talents like Gonzalo Garcia scoring the opening goal for Real, other European leagues, such as Laliga or the English Premier League, might present tougher challenges for the team in terms of defense and midfield coordination.
