Article by Adrian Duţă – published Monday, June 23, 2025, 07:38 / Updated Monday, June 23, 2025 07:53
- The World Club Championship runs on June 14 to July 13, in the US
- 32 teams, distributed in eight groups participate. The first two teams in each group qualify in optimal;
- The final takes place on the Metlife Stadium in New Jersey on July 13.
The Spaniard had words of praise to his team, the only one who made the exception being Asentio, the stop eliminated at the start of the match for a foul by the last defender. Xabi was declared impressed by Valverde, Real Madrid's captain, whom he resembled Steven Gerrard, Liverpool's legend and a former Alonso team on Anfield
Valverde scored the 3-0 goal in the 73rd minute, after a phase worked with Diaz. The captain of the Madrid passed Brahim, then climbed into the square and arrived in front of the gate, where he pushed the ball in the net, following Diaz's center. The other goals were also signed by midfielders, respectively Bellingham and collar.
Xabi Alonso, conclusions after the first victory on Real Madrid's bench
“The midfielders have quality and their completions are fantastic. It was a difficult context. We were disciplined and we controlled the game without the ball. The goals gave us confidence. It is a victory that strengthens us.
Defense in a block so low was because I was with a minus man, you have to humbly interpret that moment and so I did. What we prepared was with ten field players, we had to understand the situations after.
Asencio's mistake? Yes, it was avoidable, “said Xabi Alonso, quoted by AS.
Asked about Mbappe and his possible return to the field in the match with Salzburg, Real Madrid's coach said: “We will see, it is important what it looks like, we wait.”
In the context in which the match was played, I was very mature, when it came to waiting, when it came to knowing how to have our time, when it came to collective sacrifice …
That defensive discipline that was going to give us the opportunity to create opportunities. That was the blockage, the transitions to the two goals I worked on. These three points are very valuable, both from a football point of view and in terms of morality.
– Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid coach
Alonso, impressed by Valverde
“I have seen few like Valverde. It reminds me a bit of Steven Gerrard, it covers a lot of land, it has a strong shot, it plays everywhere, it reaches everywhere. All the coaches would like to have a Feda in their team. He escaped the bad taste of the mouth of the previous days (no – after the penalty with Al Hilal, from the extensions), ”said Alonso.
Xabi also spoke about Modric, entered the second half and ovated by fans: “It is exciting, it is worth it for what it is, to enjoy this last dance. Because all fans recognize its stature, even the ones from other teams. It has made another big match.”
Summary of Real Madrid match – Pachuca 3-1
