Xabi Alonso focused on improvement following FIFA Club World Cup opener

New Real Madrid Xabi Alonso boss has called upon his team to keep improving following their underwhelming FIFA Club World Cup opener against Al-Hilal. 

The Spaniard gave debuts to new signings Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen, but they were second best for long periods of the game, despite taking the lead through Gonzalo Garcia midway through the first half. 


A Ruben Neves penalty squared things up just before the break, but Madrid failed to carve out a winner against the Saudi side, who Simone Inzaghi was bossing for the first time. 

Having only been with the players for a matter of days, Alonso told DAZN after the game that he expects improvement ahead of their next clash with Pachuca on Sunday. 

He said, "Every game we need to take positives, learn from what we can improve, and every game will give us lessons to keep improving." 



The former Bayer Leverkusen coach also confirmed there were no concerns over the fitness of Vinicius Jr, after he was seen having a wrapping put on his ankles after being substituted. 

However, Alonso quashed any worries about an injury and said it was more to do with the conditions in Miami. 

Adding, "No, he's fine, he just started some cramps because of the heat, because of the pitch, it was a really demanding game." 

   

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