Alonso Agrees with Real's Stance on LaLiga's Miami Match Proposal
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso shares his thoughts on the team's LaLiga opener and the controversy surrounding the proposed Miami match. Find out what's at stake for the team.
“Carvajal is getting closer and closer to his best, and that's very good for the squad...”
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso is gearing up for his first LaLiga campaign, and he's clear about his expectations. Ahead of Tuesday's match against Osasuna, Alonso emphasized that he wants his team's performance on the pitch to speak for itself, rather than relying on words. This approach reflects his no-nonsense attitude towards achieving success in football.
Alonso takes the reins of a Madrid side that ended last season without a major trophy, a stark contrast to their dominance in previous years. With new signings like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, and Álvaro Carreras, Alonso aims to bolster the team's defense and bring fresh energy to the squad. The team will be without key players like Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga, and Jude Bellingham, but Alonso is optimistic about the talent at his disposal.
Alonso's message to his team is clear: it's time to put in the work and earn their success. With a shortened pre-season, the team faces challenges, but Alonso believes that making excuses won't get them where they want to be. Instead, he wants his team to focus on delivering results and making a statement in the league.
Real Madrid's journey under new coach Xabi Alonso got off to a rocky start in the Club World Cup, where they suffered a humiliating 4-0 semi-final loss to Paris Saint-Germain last month. This marked a disappointing beginning for Alonso, who will likely look to regroup and address the team's defensive issues that were exposed in the match. PSG's Fabian Ruiz scored twice, while Ousmane Dembele and Goncalo Ramos added to the scoreline, showcasing their team's strength and leaving Real Madrid to ponder on their performance.
Before Alonso took the reins, Real Madrid, under Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, had a lackluster season. They finished four points behind LaLiga champions Barcelona, failing to secure the top spot. Their Champions League campaign also ended in disappointment with a quarter-final exit, and to make matters worse, they lost the Copa del Rey final to their arch-rivals Barcelona. This season's struggles highlight the need for significant improvements if Real Madrid aims to reclaim its dominance in Spanish and European football.
🔜 Ready for our LaLiga debut!
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 18, 2025
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The recent loss to PSG serves as a wake-up call for Alonso and his team. With key players like Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior struggling to make an impact against PSG, Alonso will need to rethink his strategy and player positions to strengthen the team. The experiment of starting a front three of Kylian Mbappe, Gonzalo Garcia, and Vinicius Junior didn't pay off, and the team looked disjointed throughout the match. With lessons to learn from this defeat, Alonso has his work cut out to mold Real Madrid into a formidable force once again.
“I'm more about doing than talking,” Alonso told reporters. “Making promises before you act doesn't usually work in football. Just saying it is not going to make it happen. We want to start down that path tomorrow.
“We are really excited and want to bring that energy to the stadium and earn their (the fans') support.”
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has made significant defensive signings to address last season's troubles, which hindered their title challenge. England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has joined from Liverpool, while 20-year-old Spanish center-back Dean Huijsen has signed from Bournemouth for £50 million. Left-back Álvaro Carreras has also been added to the squad from Benfica. These new recruits aim to strengthen Real Madrid's defense and bring fresh energy to the team.
Real Madrid's Squad News
- Dani Carvajal, who suffered an ACL injury last season, is easing his way back and has been named in the squad to face Osasuna.
- Eder Militao has also recovered from an ACL injury and scored in a friendly against WSG Tirol, marking his return to form.
- Antonio Rudiger is serving a one-game suspension carried over from last season.
📋✅ Our squad for the match!
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 18, 2025
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Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid will face a challenge in their opening match against Osasuna, who finished ninth in LaLiga last season and reached the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey. Alonso's team will be without key players like Eduardo Camavinga, who is recovering from a sprained ankle, and Jude Bellingham, who will miss the first two months of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery.
Xabi Alonso is embracing the competition within his squad, highlighting the benefits of having multiple players for each position. “It's great competition for the players, and I love that we have two who can play in each position,” Alonso said. “Sometimes I will have to rotate.” This approach allows Alonso to adapt his tactics and keep his players fresh throughout the season.
Alonso also noted that Dani Carvajal is progressing well in his recovery and is getting closer to his best form, which will provide valuable depth to the squad. “Carvajal is getting closer and closer to his best, and that's very good for the squad.” With Carvajal's return, Alonso will have more options for his starting lineup.
However, Real Madrid will face several absences in their upcoming match against Osasuna. Antonio Rudiger will be suspended, while left-back Ferland Mendy, midfielders Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham, and forward Endrick are all out with injuries. Despite these challenges, Alonso is confident in his team's abilities and is looking forward to the match.
Xabi Alonso has expressed his full support for the club's stance on the proposed LaLiga match between Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami. “I completely agree with the club's statement,” Alonso said, emphasizing that any changes to the rules should be unanimously agreed upon by all participants. This sentiment echoes Real Madrid's concerns that staging a match abroad could compromise the competition's integrity.
The proposal has sparked debate, with LaLiga president Javier Tebas dismissing claims that the match would manipulate the competition. However, Real Madrid has warned that the consequences of staging such a match would be severe, potentially altering the sport's landscape. Alonso's agreement with the club's statement underscores his commitment to upholding the principles of fair competition.
Key Facts
Competitive Balance: Real Madrid believes the proposal could undermine the sport's competitive balance.
Unanimous Agreement: Alonso thinks that any rule changes should be agreed upon unanimously by all LaLiga participants.
Club's Stance: Real Madrid has vowed to petition soccer's governing bodies to block the move, emphasizing the potential serious consequences of staging a match abroad.
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has expressed his support for the club's stance on the proposed LaLiga match between Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami. “I very much agree with the club's statement,” Alonso said. “If the rules are to be changed, it must be by unanimous agreement of all the participants (in the league). Otherwise, it cannot be done.” This statement highlights Alonso's commitment to upholding the principles of fair competition in football.
The proposed match, scheduled for December 20, has garnered significant attention as it would be the first LaLiga match held abroad and the first European league game in the United States. However, it still requires approval from UEFA, US Soccer, CONCACAF, and FIFA. Real Madrid has warned that the proposal could undermine football's competitive balance and has vowed to petition soccer's governing bodies to block the move.
LaLiga president Javier Tebas has dismissed concerns about the match's impact on the competition, stating, “The match in Miami doesn't manipulate anything.” Nevertheless, Real Madrid's opposition to the proposal remains firm, with Alonso's comments reinforcing the club's stance on the importance of unanimous agreement among league participants.
Upcoming Match Details
- Match: Real Madrid vs Osasuna
- Competition: LaLiga
- Date: August 19, 2025
- Kickoff Time: 20:00 BST / 21:00 CEST
- Venue: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid
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