In a surprising revelation following Real Madrid’s 2-3 defeat to Barcelona in the final of the Spanish Super Cup held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, coach Xabi Alonso expressed his admiration for the performance of star player Vinicius Junior. The match, which showcased intense competition, was broadcast exclusively through the “Thamnya” application, the official broadcaster of the Roshan League.
Alonso praised the Brazilian forward, stating during an interview with “Movistar” that Vinicius demonstrated exceptional skill, posing a constant threat with his dynamic runs and even netting a goal with remarkable finesse. The coach noted that Vinicius requested to be substituted in the 85th minute due to fatigue, citing the high humidity and the considerable effort exerted by the player throughout the match.
Insights on Kylian Mbappé and Match Reflections
Addressing the situation regarding Kylian Mbappé, Alonso remarked that the player was not fit to start, leading to his decision to bring him on in the second half in an attempt to challenge Barcelona’s defense. Unfortunately, the team conceded a third goal before Mbappé could make his impact felt on the pitch.
Reflecting on the match, Alonso conveyed a mix of emotions, feeling both proud of his players’ performance and disappointed at their inability to secure the title. He acknowledged the closeness of the game, highlighting two missed opportunities in the final moments that could have altered the outcome.
Looking ahead, the Real Madrid manager emphasized the importance of quickly moving on from this defeat, expressing confidence in the lessons learned from facing top-tier opponents in such a short timeframe. He underlined the necessity of focusing on future challenges to ensure the team’s readiness.
When questioned about his conversation with club president Florentino Pérez after the match, Alonso confirmed that it was a brief discussion, without delving into any specific topics.
With this victory, Barcelona clinched their 16th title in history, marking their second consecutive win in Saudi Arabia against Real Madrid, a game that captivated fans and was exclusively aired on the “Thamnya” application, the official broadcaster of the Roshan League.
