Real Madrid’s new era under Xabi Alonso got off to an underwhelming start at the Club World Cup in the United States. In his debut match as head coach, the team failed to impress in a 1-1 draw against a surprisingly strong Al-Hilal side, leaving many questioning whether the Spanish giants are ready to embrace Alonso’s vision.
Alonso had promised an energetic “Rock ‘n’ Roll” style of football ahead of the match at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. However, what fans witnessed on the field fell short of expectations. Despite fielding stars like Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham, Madrid lacked intensity and creativity for most of the game.
The draw against Al-Hilal, now coached by Simone Inzaghi—who previously led Inter Milan to a Champions League final—was neither the dominant performance fans hoped for nor a reflection of Alonso’s trademark tactical style that brought Bayer Leverkusen a Bundesliga title and DFB-Pokal win in 2024.
A Rough Start for Alonso
The 43-year-old former Madrid midfielder, who recently left the Bundesliga on a high note, acknowledged the need for patience. “This is a process. We can’t expect perfection from day one,” Alonso said after the game. Still, he recognized the pressure that comes with the badge. “We need good results here, but the competition is tough.”
One of the most disappointing moments came in stoppage time, when Fede Valverde had the chance to win the game for Madrid. His penalty kick was denied by Al-Hilal goalkeeper Bono, who delivered a standout performance. In front of 62,415 fans—most of them wearing Real’s iconic white—the match ended level.
Real Madrid’s only goal came in the 34th minute, courtesy of young forward Gonzalo Garcia. Al-Hilal equalized seven minutes later when Ruben Neves calmly converted a penalty after a defensive mistake from Madrid.
Plenty of Work Ahead
Alonso admitted the team’s first-half performance was not up to par. “I didn’t like what I saw in the first half,” he said. “But I liked how we reacted after the break.” Substitute Arda Güler came close to giving Real the lead shortly after halftime but was denied by the crossbar.
The draw leaves Real in a less-than-ideal position in Group H. Red Bull Salzburg currently top the group after a 2-1 win over Mexican side CF Pachuca. If Alonso’s team hopes to advance, a marked improvement will be necessary in the matches to come.
While the spotlight remains firmly on Alonso and his coaching philosophy, it’s clear that turning Real Madrid into a team that reflects his dynamic style will take time. For now, patience—and better results—will be key.
