Xabi Alonso Attributes Final Loss to Injuries
Xabi Alonso, the head coach of Real Madrid, expressed his disappointment following a narrow 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final. He acknowledged the efforts and determination of his team throughout the match.
Xabi Alonso Reflects on Supercopa Loss
In a post-match interview, Alonso stated that his team was “close” to forcing a penalty shootout. He emphasized the “great attitude” and “strong commitment” shown by the players. Despite the loss, he felt proud of their performance.
Match Summary
- Final Score: Real Madrid 2 – 3 Barcelona
- Date: January 11, 2026
- Location: Supercopa de España
During the match, Real Madrid displayed resilience. Alonso noted that although they conceded two goals in the first half, they managed to level the score at halftime. The second half was fiercely competitive, but an unfortunate rebound led to the decisive goal from Barcelona.
Impact of Injuries on Performance
Xabi Alonso attributed part of the team’s struggles to injuries. The absence of key players affected the game strategy. Federico Valverde had to be substituted due to a physical issue, and Vinícius Jr. also faced challenges despite scoring after a long goal drought.
“The injuries have impacted our stability,” Alonso mentioned. He praised Vinícius for his performance, stating that he had played strongly until late in the match before requesting to be substituted due to cramps.
Future Outlook
Despite the defeat, Alonso remains optimistic. He highlighted the need to focus on upcoming competitions. “We can take positive lessons from this experience. There is a long season ahead, and we must quickly turn things around,” he stated.
On Kylian Mbappé’s Return
The coach also discussed the late-game inclusion of Kylian Mbappé, who made his return from a knee injury. Alonso intended to use him for creating opportunities in the final moments of the match.
The resilience and commitment shown highlight Real Madrid’s potential as they continue their campaign in various competitions this season.
