The debut of coach Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid has succeeded. A hard -fought victory was achieved against Ca Osasuna. However, it will still take time for the royal to develop their full potential.
In a fine suit, unlike his predecessor Carlo Ancelotti, Xabis Alonso was not on the edge of the field. Real Madrid’s new trainer likes it more casual, sporty. Just like in his over two years at Bayer 04 Leverkusen when he coached his team for an impressive lightness that gave his players wings and brought in an unbeaten championship.
They now also want this feat with the royal in front of their former midfielder. “Deeds instead of words “ is the motto Alonsos in Madrid. At his premiere in La league against Ca Osasuna his team arranged a first impression on the narrow but deserved 1-0 (0: 0) how the 43-year-old wants to lead his players to the required success.
Passpiel as in Leverkusen
The Alonso’s approach is a kind of Leverkusen clone: against a rows of defense, which acts deeply in its own half, such as that of Osasuna is quick, difficult to precede and almost infinite short pass game to the purpose – the most complete game control, which is supposed to conduct and hits at some point. But: The engine still stuttered against the team of guest coach Alessio Lisci.
Xabi Alonso (right) gestured on the sidelines in the game against Ca Osasuna.
What was actually missing in this first game was a player like Florian Wirtz was at Bayer 04, who tear gaps in a confined space, process balls, seek the depths and be dangerous again and again.
Little speed in the game
However, Alonso had the club World Cup, where he and his team clearly assumed in the semi-finals Paris St. Germain had failed, only 15 days of preparation to work intensively on the tactical guidelines with his players. Accordingly, the Madrilenen struggled against the almost destructive team from Pamplona.
The Madrilenes lacked wide speeds of speed to confuse the guests’ defense rows. Alexander-Arnold was also unable to contribute to newcomers and defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold. Superstar Kylian Mbappé hardly ever came into its own in this narrow room. Vinícius Junior also did not run into the ball.
Mbappé as a safe shooter
At the beginning of the second half, Mbappé once managed to play his pace and start with the ball. The attacker was then brought promptly and rather clumsy by opponent Juan Cruz in the Osasuna penalty room. The Frenchman confidently converted the penalty to 1-0 (51.).
Kylian Mbappe realized the guided tour earlier shortly after the break
As a result, he also kept control, was able to increase the pressure and seemed to be closer and further closer. Arda Güler narrowly missed the gate from the distance, Aurélien Tchouaméni headed after a corner ball next to the Osasuna housing.
At the end of the extension, Osasuna defender Abel Bretones surprisingly saw the red card (90.+4) after an elbow strike against Gonzalo García.
The Madrilenes managed the last minutes of the game and gave their coach the first victory in the first league game.