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.
Satpal Singh
The win reflects a solid tactical adjustment from Alonso, especially after the early setback. It's also a good sign that the midfield found better connections in the second half. Maintaining this intensity will be key moving forward.
Devendra Pandey
Some might argue the comeback masks underlying issues in the pressing structure, yet the result still demonstrates resilience. The off‑side controversy adds a layer of complexity that cannot be ignored. Ultimately, a single victory does not guarantee sustained dominance.
manoj jadhav
Indeed, the transition from a defensive lull to an attacking surge showcases the squad's adaptive capacity, and it underscores the importance of in‑game management, which Alonso appears to have mastered, at least in this encounter. The early goal conceded forced a re‑evaluation of the pressing rhythm, prompting the midfield to shift gears, to close spaces, and to feed the forwards more directly. By the twentieth minute, the team had begun to assert a higher line, exploiting the gaps left by Mallorca's low block, which is evident in Arda Güler's opening strike. Vinícius Jr.’s finish was not merely a flash of individual brilliance, but the culmination of a series of well‑timed passes that stretched the opposition’s defense. Moreover, the tactical tweak of widening the channels allowed the wingers to create overloads, thereby stretching the compact formation that had initially stifled Real Madrid's creativity. The coach’s acknowledgment of lapses in the opponent’s half pressing is a testament to his analytical approach, and it provides a clear directive for the upcoming matches. While the scoreboard reads 2‑1, the underlying data points to a possession percentage that favored the visitors, highlighting areas for improvement. The referee’s off‑side decision, though contentious, did not derail the momentum, which speaks to the players’ mental fortitude. In addition, the defence regrouped after the concession, showcasing a compact shape that prevented further breaches. The balance between defensive solidity and attacking flair is delicate, yet the team managed to navigate it with poise. This balance will be tested further in the Champions League, where the intensity and tactical nuances are amplified. The injury list remains relatively thin, but depth will be crucial as the schedule tightens. Fan enthusiasm at the Bernabéu provides an intangible boost, but reliance on atmosphere alone is insufficient. Looking ahead, the emphasis on tighter pressing in the opponent’s half must be coupled with efficient ball recovery to sustain pressure. Ultimately, the victory is a promising foundation, but sustained success will hinge on consistent execution of these refined principles.
saurav kumar
The pressing concerns are valid, but the quick response after the goal shows they can adjust on the fly.
Ashish Kumar
The narrative of a flawless commencement is, of course, a romantic illusion; a single triumph can never fully conceal the systemic frailties that definately linger beneath the surface. It is imperative that we scrutinize the tactical shortcomings, lest complacency take root.
Pinki Bhatia
I understand the caution, and it's wise to stay vigilant while also celebrating the team's effort.
NARESH KUMAR
Great to see the momentum building! 🎉 Let's keep the positive vibes going and support the squad all the way! 🙌