Mbappé pulls the white team forward in Xabi Alonso's Champions League debut

The Champions League anthem rang out at the Bernabéu in a season where Real Madrid fans held up a huge banner telling their team that they had to win a title this year, although they always prefer to win in Europe than in Spain. 

Xabi Alonso's debut in the Whites' favourite competition saw Vinicius on the bench, Mastantuono in midfield and Rodrygo up front. The Basque coach's intentions are very clear: he doesn't want substitutes, he doesn't want players running out of steam in March and he needs them all to be on form.

But he was up against a good team. Roberto de Zerbi's Olympique de Marseille arrived in Madrid well prepared, not only because of the 4,500 fans who accompanied the team, but also because they have a squad with players from here and there, all of them experienced. Rulli, Kondogbia, Aubameyang, Greenwood, Pavard and Weah were not at the Bernabéu visiting the new stadium. 

Real Madrid returned to high pressing, with their forwards very focused on pressing the French team's ball out of the back, but with Arda Güler somewhat inaccurate, missing a simple pass in midfield to the detriment of the Whites. Greenwood took advantage of the mistake and Weah made it 0-1 in the 22nd minute. 

Madrid's resources are those of their manager, who was overexcited on the bench, searching for solutions every minute. High pressure was the key to his entire game plan, and a run into the area by Rodrygo led to a penalty in the 29th minute, which Mbappé converted. Things have changed a lot: the Frenchman takes penalties with precision, and Rodrygo is now just another member of the Real Madrid squad, despite being written off just over a month ago. Alonso needs a large squad, and that means not leaving anyone on the bench. 

Brahim's substitution in the 60th minute was a reflection of the work of Xabi Alonso and his team. The Moroccan player was ready on the sideline to come on, but the coach stopped the substitution when Chendo was about to change the numbers on the electronic board. Brahim went to the bench looking unhappy, and Alonso went to talk to his assistants. Three minutes later, Brahim and Vinicius came on for Mastantuono and Rodrygo. And it worked. 

Although Real Madrid had to suffer a little more. In the midst of an unnecessary battle with the referees in Spain and a complaint they want to take to FIFA, Carvajal was sent off for falling for Rulli's provocation and headbutting the Argentine goalkeeper. It was very slight and there was no need for the goalkeeper to exaggerate, but it was enough for a VAR replay to force the referee to send off the Real Madrid captain, who took it with resignation after a calm chat with the referee. 

Asencio came on for Güler to defend the draw, but a run by Vinicius into the area led to a handball that the referee turned into a penalty. Mbappé made no mistake and the 2-1 in the 81st minute put the game where Alonso wanted it, in a defensive zone where they were going to have to suffer during the seven minutes of added time. 

Real Madrid took all three points and recovered from a sending-off, as they had done in the league with Huijsen. It is not more spoils after the last Champions League, where this phase of the league left the team badly affected after defeats and with two extra games against City. In addition, we saw a more organised team with players committed to Xabi Alonso's idea of pressure and sacrifice. 

The only joy of the Spanish night after Athletic's defeat at La Catedral against Arsenal (0-2) and Villarreal's defeat against Tottenham (1-0).