Xabi Alonso's debut as Real Madrid's head coach at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 did not go as planned, with the Spanish giants held to a 1-1 draw by Al Hilal. The match, played at a nearly sold-out Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, saw Madrid struggle to assert their dominance, particularly in the first half. Alonso, in his post-match reflections, openly acknowledged the team's shortcomings during that initial period.
"The second half was considerably better than the first," Alonso stated. He admitted that the team was "lacking in several areas in the first period, both with and without the ball." Specifically, he pointed out that they were "losing the ball too quickly" and "couldn't find a balance." These issues, he noted, had been discussed prior to the game, but it took the team a while to effectively address them on the field.
Despite the disappointing first half, Alonso expressed satisfaction with the team's response after the break. "I'm pleased with the reaction at half-time," he said. According to Alonso, the team managed to "give a new look to the game, change the pace a bit, and find more guys to bring the right rhythm and control to the play." This adjustment allowed them to gain better positioning around the opposition's box, adjust their press, and spend more time in Al Hilal's area.
Alonso emphasized that this is an ongoing process and that improvements will require time and patience. "Everything takes time," he noted. "The first half wasn't very good, but we have to take the positives and look at how we can learn from the negatives." He reiterated this sentiment, stating, "We know that things take time. We know that some things need to change."
Real Madrid were without the services of Kylian Mbappe, who was sidelined with a fever. Gonzalo Garcia, starting in his place, opened the scoring for Real Madrid in the 34th minute, converting a pass from Rodrygo. However, Al Hilal responded before halftime, with Ruben Neves converting a penalty after a foul. In the dying moments of the game, Real Madrid had a chance to secure a win when they were awarded a penalty, but Federico Valverde's attempt was saved by Al Hilal's goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou.
The match also marked the debuts of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen for Real Madrid. Alonso congratulated them, recognizing the significance of making their debut for the club. He expressed his excitement about their potential contributions, stating, "I'm thrilled because they have that personality, and they'll be important players for us. Having them here will give us added quality." Alexander-Arnold described making his debut for Real Madrid as "an incredible day" and "something I think almost every player dreams of." He also expressed disappointment in not winning the game but acknowledged the positives, "especially in the second half.”
When asked about what he liked most and least about the team's display, Alonso acknowledged that perfection wouldn't be immediate. "Whoever thought it was all going to fit perfectly into place..." he said. He highlighted that the team showed better quality on the ball and more control in the second half, which allowed them to impose their will on the game, something they failed to do in the first half.
Alonso also addressed what needs to be improved for the next game. He pointed to the balance with the ball as the key difference between the two halves. In the second half, the team was more confident in possession, had longer spells of possession, and played closer to the opposition. He acknowledged that they couldn't maintain possession in the first half, which allowed Al Hilal to capitalize.
Despite the draw, Alonso remained optimistic, emphasizing the need for patience and continuous improvement. "For sure, we have the principles to start building something, but we could have won," he said. He acknowledged the challenges of integrating new players and implementing new tactics within a short period, but he expressed confidence that the team would learn from the experience and continue to develop throughout the competition.
