Real Madrid will seek to get back on track in what had been a strong start to the season against Kairat Almaty in the Champions League. Regardless of Real Madrid’s focus though, there is little doubt that the hangover from a harrowing defeat to Atletico Madrid will continue for the time being though.
Los Blancos had started off with seven wins out of seven, looking solid without being spectacular. However both the players on the pitch, and Xabi Alonso on the touchline found themselves outperformed on Saturday at the Metropolitano, unable to find answers to Atletico.
Real Madrid dressing room confused by Alonso call
Perhaps the most controversial call made by Alonso was the decision to reinstate Jude Bellingham to the starting line-up, his first start since shoulder surgery in July, having played just half an hour of action off the bench in their previous two games. He did so at the expense of Franco Mastantuono, who only came onto the pitch for the final stages of the derby.
That is despite the fact that Mastantuono has been one of their most impressive performers, adding creativity in attack, and pressing hard without the ball. Sport say that one of the things that has gone down well in the Real Madrid dressing room was the instalment of a meritocracy since Alonso has arrived. However the selection of Bellingham over Mastantuono flew in the face of that, and did not go down well with a section of the dressing room.
Hangover from Carlo Ancelotti
Alonso’s predecessor, Carlo Ancelotti, tended to be loyal to his stars above all else, and perhaps there was a degree of frustration during the end of his tenure, as things began to go wrong, that he maintained this hierarchy. Other examples of Alonso perhaps edging away from a pure meritocracy are the persistence with an up and down Vinicius Junior, and the lack of minutes for Gonzalo Garcia Torres. After his impressive showing in the Club World Cup, Garcia has started just twice, albeit he has struggled to make an impact in them.
