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Three mistakes Xabi Alonso made leading to Real Madrid’s derby debacle
Real Madrid faltered in their first real test of the 2025/26 season, getting hammered 2-5 at the hands of neighbours Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
Coming into the game with a 100% win record in all competitions this season, Los Blancos were expected to end their recent winless run at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, but it was not to be as Atleti dominated from the get-go and secured a deserved win.
Having faltered in his first big test against PSG at the FIFA Club World Cup in the summer, Xabi Alonso came up short once again when faced with a big team.
Here are three things that the Real Madrid got wrong, which contributed to Real Madrid’s disappointing loss against the Rojiblancos.
Bellingham in, Mastantuono out
The surprise in Alonso’s line-up at the Metropolitano was Jude Bellingham. Nobody doubts that the Englishman will be a regular starter under the Basque coach. However, his inclusion from the beginning of the derby appeared premature, and it was soon confirmed to be so.
The decision was widely questioned, and Bellingham’s performance did little to justify it. He looked out of place and barely appeared in the match, aside from a couple of defensive efforts in his own area.
Mastantuono, the revelation of Real Madrid’s start to the season, was the one sacrificed to make room for Bellingham. Despite delivering a standout performance against Levante in the previous match, Alonso left the teenager on the bench in a game of particular significance.
Mastantuono’s entry into the match showed his motivation. One of Madrid’s six attempts on goal came from him, and in just half an hour, he delivered the most crosses into the box (five).
By the end, his frustration over the defeat was clear when he aggressively kicked a ball towards the stands.
The substitution of Arda Guler
If Bellingham’s starting role was questionable, Arda Guler’s substitution in the second half was even more difficult to explain.
Alonso may have justified it because the Turkish midfielder had just received a yellow card for a penalty on Nico. That caution seemed to weigh more heavily than his performance, which had been one of the few positives for Madrid.
Guler had been the only player bringing dynamism to Madrid’s slow game. He played a key part in both goals: setting up Kylian Mbappe before scoring the second.
Although he had a yellow card, he was one of the few Real Madrid players who showed some spark, and replacing him might have been the wrong call.
Late changes
Alonso was forced to act at half-time due to Eder Militao’s injury and made further changes in the 59th minute, bringing on Eduardo Camavinga and Franco Mastantuono for Dani Carvajal and Guler.
However, he delayed his bolder moves. Rodrygo only came on in the 70th minute for a struggling Bellingham, and the final substitution did not come until the 89th minute, with Gonzalo Garcia replacing Huijsen at 4-2 down.
Madrid finished with five forwards on the pitch (Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., Mastantuono, Rodrygo and Gonzalo), but there was little time to alter the outcome. Had Alonso been more proactive and introduced some of his attacking players earlier, a comeback might have bee possible.
Real Madrid will face their toughest test of the season so far on Sunday as they take on Atletico Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Matchday 7 of La Liga.
The Merengues head into the game with five wins in six league outings, seated second in the standings behind FC Barcelona, who have won six in six so far.
Real Madrid’s latest game ended in a 3-2 win over Elche, courtesy of a stoppage-time winner from new signing Carlos Espi.
Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, are fourth in the standings, with 13 points from six games, and head into the derby on the back of consecutive 3-0 victories over Real Sociedad and CA Osasuna.
Los Blancos have not enjoyed the best of record on their visit to the Metropolitano in La Liga in recent years, and Jose Mourinho will be keen on bucking that trend and picking up all three points heading into the international break.
Leading up to the derby, Real Madrid continue to be without three players in Eder Militao, Rodrygo Goes, and Ferland Mendy.
Having made a few changes to the lineup for the trip to Elche, here’s how Mourinho could set his Real Madrid team against Atletico tomorrow.
Defence
Thibaut Courtois remains the undisputed starter between the sticks for Real Madrid and will be in for a hostile reception as is the case every time he plays at the Metropolitano.
Meanwhile, at right-back, summer arrival Denzel Dumfries is expected to come into the side, replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold, having won the battle for the first-choice right-back.
On the opposite side, World Cup winner Marc Cucurella is likely to continue ahead of Alvaro Carreras, despite the latter impressing on his last start against Rayo Vallecano.
Dean Huijsen, back into the Spain squad after missing the World Cup, will pair up with Ibrahima Konate at centre-back.
Midfield
Aurelien Tchouameni made his first start of the new season against Elche, having fully recovered from his injury.
The Frenchman is seen as an integral player by Mourinho and his staff in order to provide balance and stability to the team. As such, he is expected to feature from the get-go again in the derby.
Partnering Tchouameni in the centre of the park will be club captain Federico Valverde, who has been a permanent fixture in the team under the new manager.
As far as the attacking midfield role is concerned, Jude Bellingham is expected to return to the lineup after being rested by Mourinho against Elche. The England international has made a brilliant start to the season and will be key for Real Madrid to come out on top in the derby.
Attack
As for the attacking unit, there will be a change on the right flank with new signing Yan Diomande expected to drop out of the team after back-to-back starts.
Instead, Arda Guler, who has excelled under Mourinho this term, will take up the position, from where he will look to create chances for his fellow attackers.
Kylian Mbappe will spearhead the attack for Real Madrid, while Vinicius Jr. will take up his usual place on the left wing. The Brazilian will need to step up after a few underwhelming displays so far.
