Real Madrid legend Guti has voiced his unwavering support for head coach Xabi Alonso following the team's disappointing 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup held in New Jersey. This defeat has left many Madridistas disheartened, especially considering the high expectations surrounding Alonso's leadership after an impressive performance leading up to the tournament.
In a post-match interview with DAZN, Guti emphasized the importance of patience and understanding when evaluating Alonso’s long-term vision for the club. “Xabi knows that as Real Madrid manager, everything counts,” Guti stated confidently. “But I’m with him, I’m with him.” His remarks reflect a belief that despite the disappointment of the recent match, it is crucial for fans and analysts alike to remain calm and not overreact to a single game in a high-pressure competition like the Club World Cup.
Guti further elaborated on his thoughts regarding the match, cautioning against hasty conclusions about Alonso's capabilities based on this one result. “You can’t judge Xabi Alonso’s work in this Club World Cup by everything we’ve said,” he noted. He expressed confidence that the team will evolve, stating, “It’s true that he lets it slip, that we’ll see another Real Madrid and I’m convinced that’s how it will be.” This sentiment underscores the belief that Alonso is still in the process of building a competitive team.
Adding to the supportive atmosphere, PSG manager Luis Enrique also acknowledged Alonso's challenges following the match. “The gap between PSG and Real Madrid? Different situations,” Enrique explained. “Xabi Alonso is new. We’ve been working on this project for two years. It’s normal.” His comments highlight the contrast between the established PSG squad and the developing Real Madrid team under Alonso's guidance.
In the aftermath of the defeat, Xabi Alonso himself recognized the significant gap between Real Madrid and PSG’s current levels. “I would say PSG are at a different level to everyone,” Alonso admitted. He reflected on the defeat as a learning opportunity, stating, “We are not the first ones to hang a strong defeat against them.” He stressed the importance of this experience in identifying areas for improvement, saying, “Not thinking about Paris, but we have clear things we want to improve to get to that level.”
Alonso concluded with a hopeful message about the future, indicating that the results from the match would serve as a valuable lesson for the team. “Today’s result is good for us, as we know how far we still have to go to improve,” he noted. “We’re just starting out. We’ve been in a competitive environment for three weeks without training, and now we need to know where we are, look at where we want to be, and prepare for it. We’ll be back in four weeks.”
As Real Madrid fans reflect on this setback, the support from legends like Guti and insights from Alonso suggest a commitment to growth and improvement, paving the way for future successes under Alonso’s leadership.
