Real Madrid keep advancing in the Club World Cup with determination. The last match against Juventus of Turin ended with a narrow 1-0 win for Los Blancos.
A result that could have been more lopsided if the team had managed to make better use of its chances. However, the match left several interesting details, especially regarding the clear message that Xabi Alonso has sent to Rodrygo.
Tough match and complicated weather
The match, played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, was anything but easy. The weather conditions played an important role and, although Madrid started off a bit cold, it managed to improve as the minutes went by.
"We have to do a lot with little, we've spent little time together and we're competing for important things," Alonso said after the match. His words reflect the patience needed to adapt and improve without losing focus on the goal.
Xabi Alonso and his message for Rodrygo
Beyond the result, what stood out the most was the way Xabi Alonso manages the locker room and the squad. According to Tomás Roncero on Cadena SER, the coach has sent a clear message to Rodrygo Goes.
The Brazilian, who once again was left without minutes in a key match, knows that in Alonso's project he will have a substitute role. "He's telling him that in his project he's a substitute," Roncero revealed.
These kinds of decisions are usually tough for a player who has always been very committed to the club, but they're also part of the strategy for the team to function. Alonso, with his experience as a player, knows that every footballer must understand his role in order to grow and contribute to the group.
Other names that shine under Alonso's leadership
Tomás Roncero also had words for other footballers who are making a difference. Gonzalo, for example, is on a streak and has already scored three goals in this tournament.
For Roncero, the striker "has more than earned the right to keep starting" and it's no coincidence that Premier League clubs are already keeping an eye on him. He's a player who brings effectiveness and a goal-scoring instinct when the team needs it most.
Meanwhile, Arda Güler is another of the strong points of this renewed Real Madrid. Although Roncero acknowledges that he's not a "Kroos or Modric," he assures that "he's the most talented in the squad." That creativity makes him key in the attack, and Alonso trusts him to build the team's future.