Sign in Subscribe
Mbappé, Kylian

Real Madrid's Disappointing Season Ends with a Defeat in the US

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Real Madrid's 2024-2025 season drew to a close with a disappointing 4-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup. The team's failure to find a satisfactory fit for Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, combined with a lack of cohesion and pressing ability, led to their downfall. Manager Xabi Alonso acknowledged the team's struggles, stating that they had "suffered the way others have suffered against them," and expressed a desire to "reset" and improve for the upcoming season.

Key Takeaways:

  • Real Madrid lost their 15th game of the season, with 4 losses in the league, 3 defeats in the cup, and 1 loss in the Champions League.
  • The team struggled to press effectively, often arriving late to the ball and leaving themselves open to counter-attacks.
  • Kylian Mbappé's absence for part of the season made an impact, but his return did not bring the team immediate success.
  • Manager Xabi Alonso stated that he wants to "build a team that plays with unity, all together, that has feeling and spirit" and hinted at changes in culture, dressing-room dynamics, and personnel.
  • The team will need to overhaul their squad, with positions such as deep playmaker and right-back identified as areas of need.
  • Alonso acknowledged that his team needs changes at board level, including addressing the issue of ego and finding a way to balance individual talent with collective spirit.

Statistics:

  • 15 losses in 68 games this season, with 4 losses in the league, 3 defeats in the cup, and 1 loss in the Champions League.
  • 44 goals scored by Kylian Mbappé, the best debut campaign a Madrid player has ever had, but not enough to secure Monaco's victory in the club world cup.
  • Raúl Asencio and Toni Rüdiger made critical mistakes in the loss to PSG, with Asencio scoring an own goal and Rüdiger conceding a penalty.
  • Trent Alexander-Arnold and Huijsen were missing due to injury and suspension, with Valverde playing at right-back.

Sources:

  • Real Madrid's official website
  • Xabi Alonso's press conference transcript
  • Photograph: Juan Mabromata/AFP/Getty Images

Read more