Even after the win, Real Madrid coach expressed dissatisfaction over a referee decision.
There is satisfaction in winning the match and a sense of relief after a difficult period. Alongside this, Xabi Alonso’s reaction also carried a hint of discontent. After Real Madrid’s victory over Alavés, the coach revealed he was surprised that the referee did not consult VAR for a particular incident.
Real Madrid won the La Liga match against Alavés 2-1 on Sunday. Kylian Mbappé put Alonso’s side ahead in the 24th minute at the opponent’s ground. Alavés equalized in the 68th minute, but Rodrygo’s goal eight minutes later secured the win for Real Madrid.
Alonso’s objection concerned a moment in the second half, where he believed Real Madrid should have been awarded a penalty for a foul on Vinícius.
“I want to talk about the game, not the referee. But in my opinion, it was a clear penalty,” he said.
“Vinícius was very quick and he was obstructed. I was really surprised that the referee didn’t check VAR. But there is nothing we can do now; we have to look forward.”
Before this match, Real Madrid were in poor form both on and off the field. They had drawn three of their previous five La Liga matches and lost one. Reports of tension in the dressing room due to disagreements between the coach, Vinícius, and others had surfaced, with speculation that Alonso could be dismissed if they lost to Alavés.
After the victory, Alonso dismissed any reports of internal discord. According to him, the win highlighted the team’s unity.
“We are all united. Whether in good times or challenging moments, we stay together and fight. Today the team played well. We started well and finished well. Unity is fundamental,” he said.
“All our focus is on our work. Our bond is strong, and we prepare ourselves for each match every three days. Today’s victory is important because we were missing many players due to injuries and suspensions.”
Riding on the confidence from this win, the coach now wants the team to move forward.
“We are all united. On Wednesday we have a Copa del Rey match, followed by the clash against Sevilla. We need to maintain what we did well today and carry it forward into the future.”
