Real Madrid has exited the Club World Cup after suffering a crushing defeat in the semifinals against Paris-Saint Germain (4-0). It wasn't an easy match for Xabi Alonso's side, who leave with a bitter taste after failing to stand up to the recent European champion. After this, Manu Carreño, host of "El Larguero", spoke up and pointed out what the problem was.
"It's the first day"
Carreño was blunt in his explanation: "I think today is the first day Xabi Alonso could feel what Real Madrid's locker room is like when it comes to deciding the line-up. I don't know if the idea of starting the three up front today is the footballing idea Xabi Alonso believes in."
In this regard, he continued: "Above all, because that meant putting Vinicius on the right. If he's already struggling on the left, on the right it's as if he didn't exist. Gonzalo, who's been the man of the World Cup, you play him out of position. That is, you nullify two players because of a decision that's conditioned by Arnold's injury."
Manu Carreño didn't stop there, continuing: "To me, it seems more than a conviction... It was a mix of conviction and, on the other hand, for the first time he felt the weight of 'Who do I bench? Do I bench Mbappé, do I bench Vinicius, or do I bench Gonzalo, who's been outstanding, and send a message to the others that hey, even if you score four goals, I'm not going to play you'"
Finally, he concluded: "Today, the locker room may have had an influence on that decision. Beyond two gross mistakes. More so Asencio's, because Rüdiger was hit on his supporting foot and anyone can make a mistake. So there are shortcomings and this World Cup is the beginning of Xabi Alonso... Although he will want to draw a line between this and what's to come."
More changes at Real Madrid
The Madrid expedition is expected to arrive in Spain's capital in the coming hours. More changes are expected in the squad. Not only in terms of arrivals, but also departures.
Xabi Alonso is clear that changes are necessary to be able to compete at the highest level in Europe. There is time ahead and next season a result like this can't be repeated.