Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso has offered clarity on some of the decisions made during the 1-1 draw with Al Hilal in the FIFA Club World Cup, including why Raul Asencio had to be withdrawn.

“Raul Asencio was on antibiotics, so we had to substitute him,” Alonso revealed during his post-match press conference.

The Spanish coach also addressed Vinicius Jr’s early departure from the game. “Vinicius suffered cramps in the 70th minute. They were very demanding, and Al Hilal were exhausted,” he said.

Despite those setbacks, Alonso took pride in how his team finished the match. “We finished the match very strongly,” he added.

Looking ahead, Alonso shared his analysis of what must improve for Real Madrid to thrive in the tournament. “The ability to attack in space, and to go forward when losing… In the first half, we suffered more. There’s no excuse, but it was very hot,” he admitted.

On tactical developments throughout the game, the Real Madrid boss highlighted a noticeable shift after the break. “We were balanced on the ball. We were more stable in the second half, with more movement from inside to outside, and we were closer to them,” he explained.

Alonso concluded by praising his team’s attacking evolution. “As our attacking game developed, we got better, although it wasn’t enough,” he said.

With their next fixture fast approaching, Alonso will be hoping to turn these tactical reflections into results on the pitch.