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Alonso spoke after the game, discussing Mbappé's fitness, the team's performance, tactical approach, physical condition, and key player contributions following Real Madrid's 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the Supercopa final.
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso explained that Kylian Mbappé was not fit enough to start the Supercopa final against Barcelona due to the expected high intensity of the match. Mbappé was intended to be introduced later in the game to create attacking opportunities and disrupt the opponent's defense, but Real Madrid conceded a crucial third goal just before he could make his entry. Alonso expressed regret that Mbappé's impact came when the team was already trailing on the scoreboard.
Alonso shared his mixed emotions following the Supercopa final, feeling profound disappointment over not winning the title. However, he also conveyed a strong sense of pride in his team's performance, highlighting their unwavering effort and competitive spirit until the very end. He described the final as a tightly contested match with various phases, where the team gave their utmost and came very close to securing a victory.
Xabi Alonso commended his team's excellent attitude and commitment. He revealed that his gameplan accounted for periods without possession, requiring resilience, control, and conviction. The team successfully limited Barcelona's chances in the initial 30 minutes. He noted that the game changed rapidly, especially in the second half when Vinicius Jr. performed exceptionally well on the left flank. Despite conceding to make it 3-2, Alonso believed his team would have opportunities to equalize but ultimately lacked the finishing touch to force penalties.
Alonso dismissed the idea that the team's physical condition hindered their final push in the game. Instead, he emphasized that ongoing physical issues and injuries are significantly affecting the team's overall stability and making it challenging to effectively distribute the workload among players throughout the season.
Alonso highly praised Vinicius Jr.'s performance, stating he played exceptionally well until the 85th minute, when he requested a substitution due to fatigue in humid conditions. He highlighted Vinicius's role as a 'game-changer' and a 'great threat' on his flank, underscoring his spectacular goal. Despite the unfavorable result, Alonso found Vinicius's display to be a significant positive for the remainder of the season, stressing that getting key players back to full fitness is currently the most critical objective for the team.
Xabi Alonso reflected on the Supercopa competition as an intense experience where Real Madrid faced two formidable rivals within a short period, right in the middle of their season. He stated that the team is focusing on extracting the positive aspects from these matches and using them as a foundation for their upcoming challenges and competitions.
Alonso recounted a tumultuous final 15 minutes, noting that prior to this, Real Madrid had controlled the game well, creating clear opportunities through players like Vini and Gon. He explained that the first goal conceded was due to a turnover rather than organized play. Despite going into halftime tied 2-2 after a high-action period, the second half remained competitive. He felt Barcelona benefited from a 'lucky' goal, and although Real Madrid pushed intensely for an equalizer, they were ultimately unsuccessful.