REAL MADRID
Xavi criticized the heat and was judged; Alonso the same?
Published New:20/06/2025 - 02:06h
Updated New:20/06/2025 - 02:08h
Xabi Alonso debuted with a draw and excuses at Madrid, but Xavi Hernández was not forgiven for complaints. Double standards?
The new technical director of Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso, debuted with a draw (1-1) against Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup, where his team's game did not leave good feelings, but his excuses after the final whistle have not gone unnoticed either.
After the match between the 'Casa Blanca' and the Saudi Pro League team for Group H, the former coach of Bayer Leverkusen took advantage of his appearance before the media to apologize.
"No excuses, but it was very hot. It was a difficult game to get into rhythm. That was a condition."
He also commented that they were not the best conditions to play a football match.
In this sense, the statements of the Tolosarra are contradictory, because the day before the match, he himself commented that "the heat worries me zero because it is what it is." Added to that, the difference in quality between the squads leaves Xabi Alonso's debut in debt.
The Merengues starred in a gray draw in Miami
Despite the abysmal difference between the payrolls, the Arab team knew how to take advantage of the shortcomings of a Real Madrid that is not yet on the field. However, the 'Whites' opened the scoring in the 34th minute, thanks to the youth player Gonzalo García.
The joy did not last long for the Merengues. In the 39th minute, the tie came after Raúl Asencio committed a penalty that ended up being executed by the Portuguese Rúben Neves.
Despite constantly looking for the goal that would put them ahead on the scoreboard, Madrid had to settle for a draw against a team that has two former FC Barcelona players. They are Malcolm and João Cancelo; both were starters.
Xabi Alonso's contradictions after Madrid's draw
The coach of the Merengue team needed to be a little more self-critical, since, according to his words, they were better. Something that was missing on the field; since the match was very even, and the 1-1 was fair.
"Regardless of the result, we have to continue seeing positive things. At halftime, I asked them for more pause with the ball because we were losing the ball very quickly and the game was opening up. We have been better, but we have lacked finishing," he said.
Xavi Hernández was not allowed to complain
When the former coach of FC Barcelona, Xavi Hernández, commented on the weather conditions or those of a playing field, it was said that he took advantage of these situations to shield himself if the results were bad.
