Xabi Alonso reacts to first La Liga defeat as Real Madrid manager

Real Madrid were soundly beaten in Saturday’s Madrid derby at the RiyadhAir Metropolitano, which was their first defeat of the season in all competitions. They had led for a short period in the first half, but four unanswered goals ensured a 5-2 defeat at the hands of Atletico Madrid.

As per Diario AS, head coach Xabi Alonso gave his assessment of the match, which he admitted was painful to take.

“It was a bad game. We didn’t start well, we didn’t play well either collectively, or in the quality of the game with and without the ball. We are in a construction phase, today is the first defeat and this continues. We have to draw conclusions from what has happened, because they will surely serve us for the future. But there are no excuses. We are hurt, as are the fans. It was a derby and it’s a deserved defeat. We have not been there, we have missed a march… Defeat hurts.”

Alonso on most worrying aspect of Madrid derby defeat

Alonso was also asked about the most concerning aspect of the defeat, which was not the fact that his side’s defence was breached on five occasions by their city rivals.

“The fact that we lacked that intensity, that adjustment to counteract better, to come out better. Right now we have an idea of what could have happened, but we have to value it more. We didn’t compete enough, today I think the team didn’t compete at the level that is required for these games, against these rivals. And we’ll have to raise the level. That’s what we’re going to have to do.”

Given that five goals were conceded, comparisons have been drawn to the 5-0 El Clasico defeat to Barcelona in 2010 – a match that Alonso played in. However, he chose not to indulge in this.

“I don’t want to compare, but it’s the first one we have this season; a painful one, without a doubt. It hurts all of us, the fans surely too. We feel very responsible. And now, let’s see what we have to do. What we have to correct and how we have to look forward. We are starting the season, both in La Liga and in other competitions and… This is not the level we want to give.”