When the final whistle blew at the Bernabéu, the atmosphere felt like a small celebration rather than a full‑blown party. Real Madrid had just turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win against Mallorca, securing nine points from three matches – a perfect start that any club would love to brag about.
Coach Xabi Alonso didn’t hide his relief. "Starting with 9 out of 9 points is good, and we're pleased," he told the press, but his tone was far from smug. He broke the game down as a "game of phases," pointing out that the team stumbled early, failed to press as tightly as they had in the first two fixtures, and had to find a way back into the contest.
Alonso admitted the squad "didn't start off the best," yet he praised the reaction, especially after the 20th minute when Real Madrid began to push against Mallorca’s low block. The midfield began to link up better, and the forwards found pockets of space that had been missing against Osasuna.
Arda Güler’s first‑half strike sparked the comeback, and Vinicius Jr followed with a clinical finish that left the crowd buzzing. Vinicius, who has been in fine form all season, showed why he’s a key piece in Alonso’s plans – quick, direct, and always ready to exploit a defensive lapse.
There was drama, too. Güler saw a goal ruled out after a tight offside call, and the fourth official’s instruction to the referee didn’t change the final decision. "The referee interpreted it differently," Alonso explained, noting that a 3-1 scoreline would have given the team more breathing room.
On the tactical side, the coach highlighted that pressing in the opponent’s half needs work. "We weren’t as tight in pressing the opposition's half, something we'd been doing well up until now, and we need to look at that and correct it," he said. This admission shows Alonso’s attention to detail – he knows that a perfect start doesn’t guarantee a perfect season.
After the international break, the schedule tightens. The Champions League kicks off, and the Spanish giants will face clubs that test every defensive and attacking nuance. Alonso is already looking forward: "After the break, the Champions League awaits and we have to keep improving things."
He also stressed the growing conviction within the squad. "The conviction of the team and the players is building, and that's important to me," he said, hinting that the locker‑room vibe is shifting from cautious optimism to genuine belief.
Looking back at the three opening matches, Real Madrid’s offense has been evolving. Against Osasuna, the team struggled to break down a compact side, but against Mallorca they created more chances after the 20th minute, showing a willingness to attack higher up the pitch. This progression is a positive sign for a team that aims to reclaim the LaLiga crown from Barcelona.
For fans, the message is clear: enjoy the early success, but stay grounded. The next few weeks will reveal whether the early momentum can withstand the pressure of European nights, derby clashes, and inevitable injuries.
In short, Real Madrid has turned a shaky start into a morale‑boosting win, and Xabi Alonso appears ready to fine‑tune the side for the challenges ahead. The season is still young, but the groundwork is being laid – and the fans are watching every move with keen interest.
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