Before the Madrid Derby last weekend, Real Madrid fans were also discussing the prospect of Xabi Alonso and his team reaching 100 points in La Liga after a series of 6 convincing opening wins. However, the 90 minutes at Metropolitano poured a bucket of cold water on them with a 2-5 defeat to the home team Atletico.
This was the first time in nearly 75 years that Real conceded 5 goals in a Derby. For Xabi Alonso, who was only entering his 4th month at the Bernabeu, that defeat exposed his weaknesses in experience, bravery and balance in playing style. These weaknesses have been somewhat overshadowed by the previous series of high-profile matches.
After shoulder surgery, Jude Bellingham started for the first time this season but did not leave much of an impression. With Bellingham not having much playing time this season, there are many opinions why Xabi Alonso let the English star start from the start in such an important match?
Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid squad is one of the youngest teams to have played in the Derby for many years, with Dean Huijsen (20 years old), Alvaro Carreras (22 years old), Raul Asencio (22 years old), Arda Guler (20 years old) and Franco Mastantuono (18 years old).
While Carlo Ancelotti's philosophy was previously to believe in experience, Xabi Alonso chose the opposite path with rejuvenation, high pressing and tactical flexibility. In fact, those young faces have played impressively in the previous 7 matches, contributing to the perfect start series. However, at a hot stadium like Metropolitano, their immaturity has been clearly shown.
The "industry" style of play Xabi Alonso wanted to build was tight control, synchronous pressing and organizing well, which completely collapsed before the high intensity of Atletico. Diego Simeone and his students proactively drilled into Real's defensive wing, especially the left wing, where Carreras was constantly exploited.
The goals conceded exposed the difference when Aurelien Tchouameni was left out of Robin Le Normand's lead in the opening situation. Dean Huijsen made a positioning mistake for Alexander Sorloth to comfortably score. In the second half, Arda Guler assisted Kylian Mbappe and scored himself, but he still showed his inexperience in committing a foul that led to a penalty. Mastantuono was put on the field to create a difference and appeared hot-tempered and unlucky, even leaving an image of unreasonable reaction.
The defensive problem, which was already a weakness, has now become more serious with Dani Carvajal injured in the calf and will be out for 4-5 weeks, most likely to be absent from El Clasico at the end of October. Eder Militao has not fully recovered, forcing Xabi Alonso to consider patchwork options such as pulling Fede Valverde back to right-back.
The lack of consistency in the defense makes Real Madrid vulnerable to big opponents. Atletico had 13 shots and the score could have been even better. This defeat reminded people of the 0-4 loss to PSG at the FIFA Club World Cup in July, a sign that Real Madrid is still far behind Europe's top opponents.
It is undeniable that Xabi Alonso's project is still in the early stages. He is rebuilding Madrid with a team of many talented young players, rich in technology and potential. However, this defeat shows that before thinking about tactical philosophy or ball control, what Los Blancos need in big matches is courage, intensity and the ability to withstand pressure.
Right after the Derby, Real Madrid flew to Kazakhstan to face Kairat in the Champions League. This is a 17-hour round-trip journey, not to mention the La Liga match with Villarreal at the weekend. With his spirit down and his physical strength exhausted, Xabi Alonso was forced to rotate his forces but the Derby defeat made rotation more difficult than ever.
Alonso's Real Madrid still have a bright young talent squad, but the 2-5 defeat to Atletico showed a truth, the Bernabeu reconstruction cannot rely solely on youth and tactical theory. Los Blancos need more toughness, leaders on the pitch and enough team spirit to overcome big matches.
Alonso has a long way to go to prove he can do that. However, if we want the rejuvenation project to become a success instead of a disaster, the recent Derby defeat needs to be remembered forever as a big lesson.
