Xabi Alonso addressed the media after Real Madrid’s painful defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, expressing a mix of frustration and pride in his team’s performance.

“There are mixed emotions,” he said. “There’s disappointment because we didn’t win the title, but also pride because the team gave everything. We competed until the very end. It was a very tight final with different phases, and we came very close.”

Reflecting on the match, Alonso highlighted his players’ attitude and commitment. “The team showed great conviction. I knew there would be moments when we would have to defend without the ball, and we stayed strong in what we were doing. In the first 30 minutes, we barely conceded anything. A lot happened in a very short period of time. In the second half, we found good situations down the left with Vinícius. After conceding the rebound goal to make it 3-2, I was convinced we would have chances to equalize. We just lacked the final touch to force penalties.”

On the team’s physical condition, the coach dismissed fatigue as the decisive factor. “We had the strength at the end. What’s hurting us is the lack of stability caused by injuries, which prevents us from distributing the workload properly across the squad.”

Alonso also praised Vinícius Júnior’s performance. “He played very well until the 85th minute, when he asked to be substituted due to fatigue. The humidity was high. He was decisive, his goal was spectacular, and he was a constant threat. We’re not happy with the result, but there are positives we can take. Right now, the priority is getting players back.”

Asked about the tournament as a whole, Alonso remained pragmatic. “It’s a competition where you face two great rivals in just a few days, right in the middle of the season. We take the positives and focus on what’s next.”

Regarding Kylian Mbappé, Alonso explained that the plan was to introduce him earlier. “He was meant to come on just before we conceded the third goal. We wanted him to create imbalance and connect between the lines. He gave us that later, but it’s a shame we were already behind. We wanted to press with him in attack.”

When asked if Mbappé was fully fit, Alonso was clear. “He wasn’t ready to start with the intensity the match required, and that’s why we made that decision.”

Finally, the coach downplayed the broader impact of the defeat. “Of all the competitions we’re in, this is the least important. Now we have to look ahead, recover players, lift our spirits, and keep moving forward.”

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