Yan Nigeria
Real Madrid manager, Xabi Alonso, has admitted his team fell short of expectations in their 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal in their opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup on Wednesday.
The Spanish giants were held at the Hard Rock Stadium in the USA, with Gonzalo Garcia netting for Real Madrid and Ruben Neves equalising for Al Hilal to ensure both sides shared the spoils.
Speaking after the match, Alonso acknowledged that Madrid’s performance, especially in the first half, lacked the necessary sharpness and cohesion both on and off the ball.
He said: “We lacked a lot of things in the first half, both on and off the ball,” Alonso said in his post-match interview. “I asked the players at half time to be a little more patient with the ball, to stop rushing. We were definitely better in the second half.”
Alonso pointed to a lack of balance and control in possession as one of the key issues Madrid must address going forward.
He said: “In the second half, we had longer phases of possession, we got closer to their box, it was better. It wasn’t enough, but it was better.”
Despite the disappointing result, Alonso found a bright spot in the performance of two summer signings, Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who made their competitive debuts for Los Blancos.
“I want to congratulate Dean and Trent for their debut, this is a special day for them, and they’ll be very important for us,” Alonso noted.
Both Huijsen and Alexander-Arnold joined Madrid this summer, Huijsen from Bournemouth and Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool, in a major squad overhaul led by Alonso.
The Real Madrid boss also revealed that Raul Asencio had to be substituted after struggling with the intense heat during the match.
Los Blancos will now turn their attention to their next group fixture against Mexican side Pachuca on Sunday, as they continue their quest for Club World Cup glory.
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