A historic defeat shakes Real Madrid in the derby… and Alonso is under scrutiny after controversial tactical decisions!

On a shocking football night at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, Real Madrid suffered a historic 5-2 defeat to rivals Atlético Madrid in the seventh round of the Spanish League (La Liga). This unleashed a wave of criticism within the Madridista camp, with coach Xabi Alonso bearing the brunt of the blame for this slump.

Questionable Technical Decisions: Starting with Bellingham

The Spanish coach surprised everyone by starting star Jude Bellingham, despite the player not having fully recovered from his recent injury. This decision seemed risky and was clearly reflected in the team’s performance in midfield, where Bellingham appeared far from his usual level, both physically and mentally.

Federico Valverde, meanwhile, has continued to perform poorly since the start of the season, yet he has nevertheless retained the coach’s confidence, a decision that has raised many questions. The duo were unable to impose any kind of control or balance in midfield, something Atlético exploited brilliantly, dominating the midfield and smoothly leading attacks towards Courtois’ goal.

Alternative Options Not Used

Available options were present but were not utilized. Dani Ceballos, one of the best players at controlling the tempo of the game in the Merengue squad, remained on the bench at a time when the team desperately needed someone to slow down the pace and regain control. Including Ceballos alongside Arda Guler and Aurélien Tchouaméni could have given the team greater flexibility and possession, limiting the spaces Atlético used to build their rapid attacks.

A Devastating Loss and Severe Repercussions

The five-goal defeat in the derby is not just a loss of three points; it is a severe moral and technical blow that could have a short-term impact on the dressing room. Fans expressed their anger on social media, and the press began to raise questions about Alonso’s ability to manage the team in big matches.

The seventh round of La Liga witnessed one of the worst nights in Real Madrid’s recent history against Atlético, prompting the club’s management, fans, and perhaps even the players themselves to rethink the team’s path this season.