Real Madrid’s decision to fire Xabi Alonso less than 24 hours after losing to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final sent shockwaves across Spanish football.
The move soon became one of the most debated topics in the aftermath of the Clasico, and it was unavoidably brought up when Barcelona sporting director Deco spoke with El Larguero.
During the conversation, Deco provided his appraisal of Barcelona’s current predicament while also discussing the turmoil at their main competitors.
Alonso’s dismissal and Arbeloa’s appointment
When asked directly about Alonso’s departure, Deco stated that the timing had caught him off guard. Reflecting on the situation, he stated:
“The truth is, it astonished me. He hasn’t been there long. He is still in the early stages. They’re in the Champions League and only four points behind Barcelona in La Liga.
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“We understand the significance that Barça-Madrid games have. They are always difficult situations, and the coaches are the first to suffer.
Deco was also asked about Alvaro Arbeloa stepping in as an interim solution.
“I’m not sure about his work or whether he’s a competent coach. In these situations, I prefer to concentrate on our work and wait to see how things progress.”
Real Madrid vs Barcelona.
Deco emphasized stylistic contrasts between the two titans on the pitch without seeming condescending.
He commented, “I’ve seen Madrid take a more counter-attacking tactic. They accomplished it against Atletico, taking advantage of Vini and Rodrygo’s quickness on attack.
“We prefer not to focus on our opponents. Our understanding of football is clear, and we are always looking to control the ball.
“I think that since Hansi’s arrival, we’ve made a leap in quality both in terms of controlling the game and physically,” said the coach.
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