Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has argued that the humiliating defeat at the hands of rivals Atlético Madrid could possibly benefit his team.
A 5-2 setback to their city rivals has put pressure on Alonso’s shoulders after only a few months in the job, with many doubting his tactical setup and response to adversity on such a huge scale.
Alonso’s rule at the Santiago Bernabéu is only 14 games old, and he urged fans to view the defeat as a learning experience for a young team.
“It’s not just the attitude; I think it was the pace and tactical aspects that we’ve analyzed,” Alonso told me. “I don’t just describe things with attitude; that is oversimplified.
“We need to improve on the gaming level. We did not compete well enough. That is part of the adaption process. We’ve been here for around 58 days. It hurt, but we are now in Champions League mode.
“We are still taking steps ahead. Perhaps taking two steps ahead requires taking one step back. We’re still figuring out what we want to be, and we’re going to improve on it.”
It’s time for Madrid to’move on’ from humiliating Atlético loss.
Tuesday’s Champions League match against Kairat Almaty provides Alonso and Madrid with an instant opportunity to boost morale, which has been extremely low after the defeat, according to The Athletic. Some who traveled to Kazakhstan compared the experience to a “funeral”.
“We have to move on,” Alonso said. “We’re thinking about what we’re going to do [against Kairat Almaty] and who will play. “We do not want to lose points.”
He said, “You must adjust. We’ve altered the traditional path slightly, but in football, the sharpest player is the one who can adapt the best. It’s just another game; that’s neither a barrier nor an excuse.
He said, “You must adjust. We’ve altered the traditional path slightly, but in football, the sharpest player is the one who can adapt the best. It’s just another game; that’s neither a barrier nor an excuse.
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