Pundits deliver damning verdict on Alexander-Arnold debut and Alonso's first game in charge of Real Madrid

The Xabi Alonso era at Real Madrid got off to a difficult start as the new boss saw his team play out an underwhelming draw with Al Hilal in their FIFA Club World Cup opener. 

The Saudi side had most of the better opening exchanges of the game, but fell behind to Madrid when Gonzalo Garcia opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark. 

However, Alonso's men were pegged back before half time when Ruben Neves dispatched a penalty after Raul Acsencio had given away a needless spot kick. They then failed to find a winner, as both teams settled for a point in the opening exchanges of Group H. 

After the game, Madrid's performance was criticised by the DAZN team on The Press, with journalist Julien Laurens not impressed by Alonso's new-look side, especially out of possession. 

"It was quite underwhelming, to be honest," he said. 

"Maybe we expected a little bit too much because it's Xabi Alonso, and maybe after four days we did. But we saw it was far too easy and there wasn't enough pressure on the ball and we saw Al-Hial overlapping and getting crosses in.

"There were times when they were just ball watching and there was no running." 

 

Alonso gave debuts to both Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold in the game, which brought a lot of attention on the England full-back who moved from Liverpool earlier this month. 

He lasted just an hour in the sweltering Miami heat, but Laurens wasn't too taken in by the 26-year-old and their remains question marks on where best to play him in this Madrid team. 

Laurens said, "He is such a story after his move from Liverpool and everything around that and also what can he bring to this Madrid squad.

"Where do you play him? Who do you play around him? We knew the relationship he had with (Mohamed) Salah was pretty special at Liverpool, but there's not a player like Mo Salah right now in this Madrid squad. 

"We saw Rodrygo playing ahead of him tonight and they'll need to work together to get used to playing together and the patterns of play.

"It's very early days, but there are a lot of question marks around him." 




 

Real Madrid are back in action on Sunday as they take on Pachuca in their second Group Stage game, before finishing the first round against Red Bull Salzburg. 


 

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