Xabi Alonso Aims to Forge Cohesive Team After Semifinal Defeat

Following a disheartening 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semifinal, Real Madrid’s manager, Xabi Alonso, expressed his determination to cultivate a squad that operates seamlessly as a unified entity.

Due to the absence of suspended defender Dean Huijsen and the injury of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Madrid initiated the match with a four-man defensive setup, deviating from the five-man defense that had previously proven effective earlier in the competition.

The tactical adjustment included Garcia alongside prominent forward Kylian Mbappe; however, this alteration did not yield the anticipated positive results, despite Mbappe’s return to optimal fitness after recovering from an illness that sidelined him for a significant portion of the tournament.

Notably, PSG capitalized on Real’s vulnerabilities in defense, securing two goals within the initial nine minutes, leaving the LaLiga team visibly overwhelmed.

Alonso conveyed considerable disappointment regarding the team’s substandard performance and lack of resilience following the match.

Post-Match Remarks
  • “Falling behind by two goals hindered our ability to establish a firm foothold in the game. We must acknowledge that this defeat was painful, and our performance did not meet the required level,” Alonso stated.
  • He further added, “Identifying our shortcomings is beneficial, providing valuable lessons for future improvement.”

Alonso emphasized the ambition to initiate a new chapter characterized by innovative thinking and a team-oriented approach.

  • “Following a recess, we are embarking on a new phase with renewed perspectives,” he declared.
  • “Our objective is to construct a team that exhibits unity, where every player contributes cohesively. The proximity to the final makes this setback particularly disheartening, and we will closely monitor subsequent developments.”