AFCON 2025
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has told fans to be patient with the team after the draw against Al Hilal at the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup.
The 15-time European champions started their campaign with a one-all draw against Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Brazilian winger Rodrygo Goes gave Real Madrid the lead in the 34th minute despite struggling to gain control of the match after a blistering counter-attack.
However, Ruben Neves equalized for Simone Inzaghi’s men from the penalty spot just before halftime after Raul Asencio pulled an Al Hilal player in the box.
While Real Madrid played better in the second half, they struggled to break down the opposition, who stood solid in defense with the help of Moroccan goalkeeper Bono.
The Moroccan goalkeeper Bono saved a 92nd-minute Fede Valverde penalty as the match ended a goal apiece.
While speaking to the media after the match, Xabi Alonso, who took over after the exit of Carlo Ancelotti, said patience is needed as the way he wants the team to play will take time.
“The second half was much better than the first,” Alonso said in his post-match news conference. “In the first half we lacked a lot of things, we didn’t have balance. We’ve talked about that.
“I liked the reaction. We were able to change our rhythm, have more control, and play more in the opposition half. It’s a process. We have to take the positives and look to improve.”
I knew it would take time,” he said. “There are things we have to change. We’ll have to correct them, and we’ll keep doing that. Everything takes time, we’ve had nine days, and some players have had just three training sessions. It’s demanding, we’re in a competition, but we want to learn, and what we want to do will take time.”
Real Madrid were without star striker Kylian Mbappe, who missed the opening match due to illness. Kylian Mbappe scored 43 goals across all competitions last season.
Alonso says he can’t tell if Mbappe will return before Real Madrid take on Pachuca in their second match.
