Real Madrid coach “Xabi Alonso” expressed his disappointment after the frustrating draw against Elche, stressing that the team is going through a period of unfavorable results, but it does not indicate a decline in performance or loss of fighting spirit among the players.
In the context of the 13th round of La Liga competitions, Real Madrid fell into a 2-2 draw against Elche, in the match held at the “Martínez Valero” stadium, Elche’s home ground.
Real Madrid’s goals were scored by “Dean Huijsen” and “Jude Bellingham” in the 78th and 87th minutes, while Elche’s goals were scored by “Álex Febas” and “Álvaro Rodríguez” in the 53rd and 84th minutes.
In statements reported by AS newspaper, “Alonso” said: “After a good run of results, a period came when we didn’t get what we wanted. We know what we’re aiming for and we have to move forward without hesitation. We’re not satisfied, this is a club that only accepts victory, but there’s still a long way to go.”
The coach also firmly responded to criticism talking about the team’s declining performance, saying: “The team has not collapsed. We are continuing to compete, and we realize that each match is played in a different context.”
He confirmed: “Yes, results rule, but the spirit shown by the players is positive. At Real Madrid, we coexist with pressure and criticism, and we know how to respond to it.”
Regarding the relationship between the players and the coaching staff within the team, “Alonso” expressed his confidence in the harmony, saying: “Communication is improving day by day. We have spent more time together, and our knowledge of each other has increased. We experience everything as one unit, celebrating victories and suffering when we stumble. Now we must turn this feeling into a strong push before facing Olympiacos of Greece in the Champions League.”
The coach defended his tactical decision to involve “Fran García” in a different position, explaining: “This position is not new to him. We wanted more width on the flanks and try to change the style of play. Unfortunately, immediately after the draw, we conceded a goal that turned the rhythm, even though the moment was in our favor to come back in the result.”
Regarding “Vinicius Junior,” who was once again on the bench, “Alonso” confirmed that he does not feel any concern about his commitment or discipline.
“Alonso” stated: “I’m not worried. I’ve spoken to Vinicius a lot and he knows his role well. We’ve applied this approach in other matches before. All the players have the desire and energy to regain the positive rhythm.”
Regarding the most prominent things that bothered him during the match, “Alonso” revealed: “After the 1-1 draw, we lacked the required continuity to complete the pressure. In the first half, the team prepared well for the attacking build-up. The players did not give up, but we lacked the impetus in the decisive moment.”
With this result, Real Madrid raised its score to 32 points, to top the La Liga standings, one point ahead of second-placed Barcelona, while Elche raised its score to 16 points, to occupy 13th place in the standings.
Match highlights:
Real Madrid started the match with a strong attack, and “Rodrygo” almost scored an early goal in the third minute with a powerful shot that passed slightly above the crossbar, reflecting the royal team’s attacking intentions.
“Kylian Mbappé” also came close to scoring the opening goal after a pass from “Raúl Asensio,” but his shot passed slightly beside the post.
The 13th minute witnessed the first attempt from the home side, where “Germán Valera” headed a header far from the goalkeeper “Thibaut Courtois”‘s goal.
In the 16th minute, Elche had a dangerous opportunity after a quick attack led by “Héctor Fort” and ended with a shot from “Rafa Mir” inside the penalty area, but the Belgian goalkeeper shone and brilliantly saved his goal.
Real Madrid tried to regain control through set pieces, and “Raúl Asensio” almost scored with a powerful header in the 20th minute, but it did not hit the goal.
In the 22nd minute, Elche threatened Real Madrid’s goal with a cross from “Fort,” but the Merengue defense intervened at the last moment.
In the 24th minute, the Turkish “Arda Güler” tried to leave his mark with a long-range shot, but it went over the crossbar.
In the 29th minute, “Mbappé” launched a counter-attack, but “Iñaki Peña” brilliantly saved it, before the goalkeeper shone again in front of the Real Madrid striker in the 32nd minute, and saved his goal from close range after a cross from “Trent Alexander-Arnold.”
Immediately afterwards, “André Silva” almost snatched a goal for Elche, but “Courtois” saved it in a direct confrontation.
In the 44th minute, “Mbappé” threatened Elche’s goal again, but he collided with the brilliance of “Peña,” while “Diangana” almost surprised “Courtois” with a shot, were it not for the intervention of the Madrid defense, ending the first half in a goalless draw.
The second half began with a fast pace from Real Madrid, who sought to score the opening goal early, and the first dangerous opportunity came through “Rodrygo” in the 46th minute, who penetrated the right wing before shooting powerfully, but “Iñaki Peña” continued to shine and cleared the ball.
In the 52nd minute, Elche surprised Real Madrid with a sudden goal that started from a collective play between “Álex Febas” and “Germán Valera,” where the latter returned the ball with his heel inside the area, placing “Febas” the ball over “Courtois” with a light touch that hit the post before settling in the net, announcing the home team’s lead.
In the 71st minute, Real Madrid almost equalized the result through a counter-attack led by “Bellingham” who stole the ball and passed it to “Vinicius,” who sent a cross that an Elche defender cleared at the last moment before it reached “Mbappé.”
In the 78th minute, Real Madrid managed to score the equalizing goal from a corner kick that “Asensio” rose to and converted with his head, before the defender “Huijsen” appeared in front of the goal and put the ball into the net, announcing the 1-1 draw.
In the 83rd minute, “Álvaro Rodríguez” turned things upside down, after coming on as a substitute and scoring the second goal for Elche, where he received the ball from almost his first touch, skillfully dribbled past “Asensio,” then shot a curved ball that settled in the far corner of “Courtois”‘s goal, restoring the lead to the home team amid great joy in the stands.
In the 81st minute, the Elche defense saved a dangerous shot from “Vinicius Júnior.”
In the 87th minute, “Jude Bellingham” succeeded in bringing Real Madrid back into the match by scoring the equalizing goal, where he shot a powerful ball inside the area, which was saved by the goalkeeper “Peña,” before it reached “Huijsen” who passed it again to the English star, who shot directly into the net.
Real Madrid continued to press in the final minutes, looking for the winning goal, but to no avail, ending the match in a 2-2 draw.
