“I have warned Xabi Alonso about that particular player, he refused to bench him, He keeps causing problems to the teams, He cost Real Madrid thier defeat yesterday against Atletico Madrid and Xabi Alonso played him full time: Former Real Madrid Manager Carlo Ancelloti names ONE player who doesn’t deserve to start for Real Madrid, warned Alonsi about the unforgivable mistake

Real Madrid suffered their first defeat of the season, and it was a devastating one. Los Blancos lost 5-2 to rivals Atletico at the Metropolitano Stadium, after a collapse in the second half. Xabi Alonso’s side went in at the half all square at 2-2, but conceded three times in the second.

 

It was a blow for Alonso and his side, with the game seen as the first big test. There will be questions raised around the team after the loss, many of which were asked in the post-game press conference.

 

Xabi Alonso and Vinicius Jr

IMAGO / Pressinphoto

Head coach Xabi Alonso spoke to the media after the loss to Atletico, which could cost them top spot in the league. (per Real Madrid).

 

It was a bad game. We didn’t start well and we didn’t play well collectively nor did we show our quality level with or without the ball. We are in a construction phase and this is our first defeat. This continues. We have to draw conclusions for the future. We are hurt because it was a deserved defeat. We lacked a gear and the defeat hurts.”

Xabi Alonso

Q: Reaction

 

Alonso: We’re not happy with how we played today, but we also don’t want to forget where we came from. We want to get back on track, and within the process of building, there are tough days. The important thing is how we react and are able to grow. We have to take the positives from the pain we felt today.

 

Jude Bellingham vs Atletico Madrid

IMAGO / Sports Press Photo

Q: Bellingham’s starting lineup

 

Alonso: We need everyone, and they were training well. We weren’t fluid with the ball and were losers in duels. We also didn’t recover in the opponent’s half. We’ll analyze the decisions and learn from them. We won’t forget this tough defeat. It’s a building process, and today we didn’t perform at the level we would have liked. We have to be critical of ourselves, draw conclusions, and try to improve.

 

Q: What’s most worrying about the defeat?

 

Alonso: The most worrying thing is why we lacked that intensity. We didn’t compete enough and we weren’t at the level of these matches and these opponents. We have to raise our level. That’s what we have to do. I missed a better level in everything.

 

Q: The halftime talk

 

Alonso: We talked at halftime about starting a new game, but we didn’t manage to do so. There were circumstances: the penalty, the foul, the loss… We weren’t at our best, and we were deservedly penalized.

 

Q: The Metropolitano ball boys

 

Alonso: We’re not going to use a recurring detail as an explanation for the defeat. We weren’t at our best, and we have to use this pain in positive ways, both individually and collectively.

 

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IMAGO / Alterphotos

The first Madrid derby between Real and Atletico takes place on September 27, and it’s a huge one for more than just bragging rights. Los Blancos enter the game with the only 100% record in La Liga, and a chance for Xabi Alonso to equal the best start to the season by a new Real Madrid head coach, with seven wins.

 

On the other side, Diego Simeone has had a torrid start to the season. Los Colchoneros sit mid-table with just two wins from six games, drawing three and losing one. They also lost their opening game in the Champions League to Liverpool. It means they sit nine points behind Real Madrid in this early stage of the season, and it’s a worry for the club and Simeone.

 

Date

 

Match Result

 

August 17

 

Espanyol 2-1 Atletico Madrid

 

August 23

 

Atletico Madrid 1-1 Elche

 

August 30

 

Alaves 1-1 Atletico Madrid

 

September 13

 

Atletico Madrid 2-0 Villarreal

 

September 21

 

Mallorca 1-1 Atletico Madrid

 

September 24

 

Atletico Madrid 3-2 Rayo Vallecano

 

Is Diego Simeone at Risk of Being Sacked with a Madrid Derby Loss?

Diego Simeone

IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Diego Simeone has been the head coach of Atletico Madrid since 2011, having been a cult figure at the club during his two spells as a player. The Argentine helped the club regain title contention with the two big boys of Spain and delivered two titles, including one in his third season. He even managed to get them to two Champions League finals, but lost both times to their city rivals.

 

However, over the last couple of seasons, the red and white teams have slipped away from the two, with the gap growing. After their poor start to the season, could a Real Madrid win spell the end of Simeone’s time with Atletico?

 

If they were to lose, they would be 12 points behind their rivals, and despite it being early in the season, that is a significant gap to overcome. The 55-year-old signed a new extension in 2023, which is set to expire in 2027. After over ten years with the club, it may be time for a change of direction, as life under Simeone has not progressed as it once did.

 

A Real Madrid win may not put the final nail in the coffin for the Artletico head coach. However, it could start the ball rolling if things don’t pick up for Simeone.