The Real Madrid coach, Xabi Alonso, expressed disappointment in responding to the final result of his debut in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Xabi Alonso's first game at the helm of Real Madrid ended on a less satisfying note.
Los Blancos only drew with the Saudi Arabian champion, Al Hilal, in matchday 1 of Group H of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
The Mentas match at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, on Wednesday (18/6/2025), ended in a 1-1 draw.
Madrid took the lead through a goal from the club's academy player, Gonzalo Garcia.
Al Hilal, which was also celebrating the debut of new coach Simone Inzaghi, avenged it with Ruben Neves' penalty kick.
Xabi's ward actually had the chance to seal the victory in the injury time.
Real Madrid was awarded a penalty after Fran Garcia was fouled by a defender.
Only Fede Valverde's execution, who played as captain in this match, was able to be read by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
The projection for tripos to decorate the debut of the former elegant midfielder of the Spanish national team has been shattered.
"The result was disappointing, we couldn't win," said Xabi in a post-match press conference, quoted by The Shiro Cord from Marca.
Frustrated? No. We have another goal, which is to play better.
I know this will take time.
We made some mistakes, but I saw the reaction in the second half.
"Everything takes time and everything needs repetition so it sinks in a little deeper," he added.
The issue of time was also highlighted by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois as a constraint.
According to him, Real Madrid players cannot instantly feel the impact of the revolution with a new coach.
It's unfair to compare the results of the past four years with Carlo Ancelotti to the brief touch-ups by Xabi Alonso.
The successor only has space to intensively prepare the team within four days.
"We are trying to do things differently, of course," Courtois said.
But it's impossible to do everything in four days after working with other coaches for four years.
The old habit may still be there.
We have tried to change things with a higher and more aggressive defense line.
"In the first half we were more passive and in the second half we were more aggressive, that's how we want to play," he added.
In the second match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Real Madrid will face the Mexican representative, Pachuca, in Charlotte (22/6/2025).
Los Blancos currently occupy second place in Group H with one point.
They are behind by two points from Salzburg, who lead the table thanks to a 2-1 win over Pachuca.
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