Atlético dominates Real Madrid in Alonso's first big test
- Xabi Alonso's initial test as Real Madrid coach
- Line-up and individual performances in the derby
- Evaluation of Real Madrid's midfield
- Refereeing issues and the next Clásico
Xabi Alonso's first test as Real Madrid coach
Fail. That's the grade for Xabi Alonso's first serious test as coach of Real Madrid. He couldn't be judged on PSG's thrashing in the Club World Cup, but he must be measured after the derby and, especially, for his management of the match.
The line-up already had many Madrid fans frowning. Bellingham starting in such a demanding match seemed too much, but keeping him on until the 70th minute was perhaps too much. The other two surprises due to their poor performances were Huijsen and Álvaro Carreras.
Line-up and individual performances in the derby
The centre-back failed miserably in the goals by Sorloth and Le Normand, but the Galician full-back, who looked nervous with the ball at his feet at all times, also had a lot to do with his calamitous performance. Two of the best players in this first part of the season had a bad game against a rival against whom everything is magnified.
This derby also served to gauge Real Madrid's midfield. The question of whether Güler is good enough remains. With the Turkish player on the pitch, Real Madrid even took a 1-2 lead. But Alonso decided to bring on Mastantuono in the 60th minute with the score at 3-2 and Julián Álvarez about to make it 4-2 with a free kick like Pantic's, as Simeone recalled in his press conference.
Assessment of Real Madrid's midfield
Alonso's changes were reminiscent of Ancelotti at his worst. Lots of firepower up front but not much of an attacking plan with Rodrygo and Gonzalo García alongside Mbappé and Vinicius. Everyone was getting frustrated and Atlético Madrid did the rest with a defensive organisation reminiscent of Godín's time at the back.
With Real Madrid stifled and no room for improvement from the bench, the Rojiblancos only had to wait for their moment and for Griezmann to score the fifth goal that turned the game into a historic 5-0 rout, raising doubts about everything that wears a white shirt.
It was a hard blow for Real Madrid, who, incidentally, lost their lead thanks to Barcelona's victory over Real Sociedad. But it raises a sea of doubts about this team's ability to compete with Barça after last season's defeats and its ability to face Juventus or Liverpool in Europe.
Refereeing issues and the upcoming Clásico
Alonso knew that this match was an important test, and the suspense was clear. Not even the refereeing decisions can justify the defeat. Perhaps the penalty caused by Güler could have been an indirect free kick inside the area, one of those that referees no longer call because they don't know where to place the wall, or perhaps Sorloth should have been sent off for hugging the stands at 3-2 with a yellow card. Real Madrid played much worse than Alberola Rojas's refereeing. El Clásico will once again pit Xabi Alonso against a Real Madrid team still under construction.