Real Madrid’s 3-1 win over Pachuca in the FIFA Club World Cup was not just a scoreline to admire—it was a masterclass in tactical resilience, orchestrated by head coach Xabi Alonso under extraordinary circumstances.
Playing nearly the entire match with ten men, Madrid showed composure, intelligence, and fighting spirit to claim a crucial victory.
“It was a very important win, and we value it highly given the context,” Alonso told DAZN.
“Playing almost the entire match with one player less is very demanding, and I’m very satisfied with how intelligently we played the game.”
The game turned dramatically early on when Raul Asencio was sent off for a last-man foul on Salomon Rondon early in the first-half. The dismissal forced Madrid into an urgent tactical rethink. Alonso didn’t hide the emotional impact on the squad but acknowledged the learning moment.
He said: “He is sad, it was a mistake that changed the game. The whole plan shifts. These are things you have to learn from. It’s better to concede the 1-0 than to play almost the entire game with ten men. We will talk with Raul because these things should be avoided, but aside from that, I liked the rest.”
That “rest” turned out to be a masterclass in control and adaptation. Alonso’s in-game management and Madrid’s tactical discipline were key to their survival and eventual triumph.
Alonso added: “By waiting and knowing how to sacrifice. With the ball, we had moments when we came out well; we knew how to accelerate and slow down. It’s a victory that will give us a very important boost mentally.”
During a crucial hydration break, Alonso made key tactical tweaks to stabilise the team. His detailed explanation of the plan showed how every player’s role was recalibrated to maintain defensive solidity and attacking threat.
The Madrid boss went on: “With one player less, we wanted to see how to fix the last line of four with two players, have an inside foot, and Vini and Gonzalo did well. From the second line, Arda and Jude joined in, so I’m very happy. They are midfielders with an attacking spirit and those were three great goals.”
The final word of praise was reserved for one of Madrid’s most consistent warriors: Federico Valverde. The Uruguayan sealed the win with Madrid’s third goal and earned glowing appreciation from his manager.
He concluded: “Fede is all heart, he is a fundamental player. We have to support him and make him feel free and confident — that is essential. I was happy for him; it helped him shake off the bad feeling from the other day.”
