Xabi Alonso has been one of the most singled out after Real Madrid's defeat in the Club World Cup semifinals. The coach was coming off a good run, but some mistakes and poor planning took their toll. In this situation, part of the fans have shown their discontent through social media.
Several footballers were exposed in PSG's locker room and the area of the field that struggled the most was the defense. Antonio Rüdiger and Raúl Asencio were exposed, but it wasn't all their fault. After all the controversy, a player who wasn't initially singled out has emerged and Xabi Alonso is aware of it.
Xabi Alonso and his approach
Xabi Alonso arrived in the Spanish capital intending to correct Carlo Ancelotti's mistakes, who didn't achieve the proposed objectives. The Italian had to step aside to make way for Real Madrid's new era. Florentino Pérez was clear that the time for change had come and that's what he did.
During the conflict at Real Madrid, injuries started to appear, a factor that gave Raúl Asencio an opportunity. The defender started to earn the fans' trust, but he has lost it all during the Club World Cup. In yesterday's match, the young player was exposed and Xabi Alonso isn't happy with his role.
Raúl Asencio has accumulated a penalty, a sending off, and yesterday's disaster in the Club World Cup. Meanwhile, Antonio Rüdiger wasn't brilliant either; he lacked intensity and couldn't cover his teammate's mistakes. Although the defense was a catastrophe, another footballer from a different area was also completely exposed for not showing up at any point.
Neither Raúl Asencio nor Antonio Rüdiger
The forward who was completely exposed was Vinícius, who has been heavily criticized for disappearing during yesterday's match. In addition, it seems he isn't getting used to having Mbappé by his side, so the attack seems to be incompatible. Social media have been filled with criticism of the attack, which was insufficient yesterday.
Xabi Alonso didn't get the approach right, but his footballers also weren't up to the situation. Although we can't take anything for granted, it's likely there will be moves during this summer transfer window.