Xabi Alonso Speaks Out After Losing the Title: Real Madrid “Competed Until the End”

Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso reflected on the defeat in the final with mixed emotions. The Spanish manager admitted his disappointment at missing out on the trophy, but highlighted the attitude and character his team showed throughout the match.

Alonso insisted that Real Madrid fought until the very end in what he described as an evenly balanced final. He praised the squad’s ability to maintain intensity, adapt to different phases of the game and remain firmly in contention until the final minutes. According to the coach, the match plan required patience and resilience without the ball at key moments.

He explained that during the opening 30 minutes his team conceded very little and created the clearest chances through Vinícius Júnior and Gonzalo. For Alonso, the turning points came down to isolated mistakes and specific moments rather than sustained dominance from the opposition.

In the second half, Real Madrid found better outlets down the left flank and genuinely believed they could equalize and force a penalty shootout. A lack of efficiency in the final third ultimately proved decisive in a contest he considered extremely tight.

Alonso dismissed the idea that fitness issues or injuries were to blame for the loss. While acknowledging that absences make consistency and rotation more difficult, he stressed that the team finished strongly and maintained high intensity until the final whistle.

The coach reserved special praise for Vinícius Júnior, stating that the Brazilian performed at a high level until the 85th minute, when he asked to be substituted due to fatigue. Alonso described his goal as spectacular and highlighted the constant threat he posed down the left side.

Regarding Kylian Mbappé, Alonso revealed that he chose not to start the French forward because he was not yet ready to sustain the game’s intensity from the opening whistle. The plan was to bring him on later to provide dynamism and danger between the lines, a role Mbappé fulfilled in the closing stages.

Alonso concluded by underlining the value of the tournament as part of a broader process. Real Madrid faced two top-level opponents in just a few days during a demanding period of the season. He congratulated Barcelona on the title and confirmed that the focus now shifts to recovering players and preparing for the next challenges of the project.