Xabi Alonso is convinced Real Madrid have improved as a team during the Club World Cup and insists they will learn from last night’s humbling 4-0 thrashing by Paris Saint-Germain.
Madrid were torn apart by the European champions in the semi-final with the game effectively done after 24 minutes with PSG three goals up, aided by some woeful defending from the Spanish side.
Alonso’s side were outthought, outworked and outplayed, leaving Alonso with plenty to ponder ahead of his first full season in charge.
PSG vs. Real Madrid Full Match Highlights pic.twitter.com/lmVRdAs6y1
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We leave as a better team – Luis Enrique
The former Leverkusen boss said: “More than the result, it shows the margin we have to improve.
“The game is the end of this season. We leave as a better team. It’s hard to explain. I am convinced that it will help us to start next season better.
“This championship has told me many things. Of what we are and what we have to improve. I’m leaving with an idea of what we’ll see. It is the last game of 2024-25. In August we will start 2025-26, which will be different. I’m leaving with clear ideas.”
Kylian Mbappé endured a miserable first meeting with his former club with the France captain and fellow star Vinicius Jr coming in for criticism for not tracking back as PSG swept forward at will.
Asked about the pair afterwards, Alonso refused to single out anyone for individual criticism.
He added: “I talk about the team and today, at certain times, sometimes it is good to see the mistakes because they help you for the future. If we repeat the same mistake over and over again, we will not be intelligent.”
No titles ❌ Just heartbreak 💔
A season to forget for Real Madrid 😔
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Alonso calls for calm
The Club World Cup was Alonso’s first assignment with Madrid as a coach and he asked for patience from fans and the media.
“It’s the first defeat,” he said. “But the bad news for me is that we will lose more times. It’s what happens, and you have to accept it. Tomorrow begins a stage of rest, of refreshing the heads. Let’s not forget, but don’t hammer us too much.
“We have tried to build a team that plays as a unit. The Club World Cup has been very interesting, demanding. We’ve come this far. We got to the penultimate stage.”
PSG will face Chelsea in Sunday’s final as they look to add the finishing touch to a remarkable season. Luis Enrique’s side won a domestic double and the Champions League and will solidify their status as the best club side in the world with a win in New York at the weekend.
