Xabi Alonso’s New Chapter at Real Madrid
Xabi Alonso, the recently appointed manager of Real Madrid, announced on Wednesday that the team will embark on a fresh chapter ahead of the next season. This declaration comes on the heels of a disappointing 4-0 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semifinal, where his strategic changes faltered.
Strategic Changes and Setbacks
The absence of key players—suspended defender Dean Huijsen and injured Trent Alexander-Arnold—prompted Alonso to shift from the back-five formation that had previously yielded success to a four-man defense. This adjustment was particularly risky, considering PSG’s formidable attacking prowess. The change initially featured Gonzalo García collaborating with star striker Kylian Mbappé, who had just returned to form after battling illness. However, the result was disastrous, as PSG capitalized on Real Madrid’s vulnerabilities by scoring two goals within the opening nine minutes.
Alonso lamented the inability of his team to regain composure following the early setback, stating, “We were two goals down and we couldn’t find our footing. It was a painful defeat, and we must admit that we were not up to standard today.”
The manager did not implement significant adjustments during halftime, yet expressed confidence that there were scoring opportunities yet to be seized before ultimately making several changes in the latter part of the match.
Looking Ahead
Despite the heavy loss, Alonso remains optimistic for the future.
“We had some shortcomings at some points, and sometimes it’s good to see our mistakes and draw lessons for the future,” he remarked, indicating an intent to learn from the defeat.
He reassured supporters that the upcoming season holds promise:
“We start a new age after a break, with fresh minds. We want to build a team that plays as a unit, with everyone playing together. It’s painful to be just one match away, but let’s see what happens now and what new signings could come in to strengthen our squad.”
Thus, as Real Madrid reflects on this defeat, the focus shifts to rebuilding and preparing for a brighter season ahead, with the aim of recapturing their competitive edge.
