Toni Kroos said on his podcast this week, speaking about Xabi Alonso, that “his history as a footballer helps him, but it doesn’t protect him if he doesn’t win titles three years in a row.”
No one knows this better than Xabi himself, which is why he refuses to think in terms of transition or long-term building. His Madrid must win here and now. That means dominating games, running relentlessly in defense, pinning opponents back in their own half and trusting in the devastating partnership of Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Junior. Osasuna saw glimpses of it and Oviedo and Mallorca have fully felt this new Real Madrid.
That’s what happened against Mallorca. For a stretch, coach Jagoba Arrasate believed his team could exploit Madrid’s fatigue. But Los Blancos pressed aggressively, snapping at ankles in defense and stole the ball high upfield, something Arrasate had warned about before the match.
What he didn’t expect was how Xabi is using Arda Güler. While waiting for Bellingham’s return, Alonso has pushed Güler into more attacking roles, aiming for direct damage rather than patient buildup. It worked. Madrid created danger early, especially through the budding link between Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mbappé. In the sixth minute Trent slipped a ball through for the Frenchman, who finished calmly, only for VAR to rule it offside by millimeters. Still, Trent impressed on his return to the XI, repeatedly finding Mbappé with precise long passes. That combination will be a huge weapon going forward.
All eyes were also on Vinícius and he delivered. Free from his usual nemesis Pablo Maffeo, he tormented Mateu Morey almost at will.
Yet just as Madrid seemed in control, Mallorca struck with their old reliable weapon, Muriqi’s aerial power. From a Pablo Torre corner, the Kosovar striker rose between Huijsen’s softness and Tchouaméni’s lapse to head in the opener. A classic cut but one that didn’t rattle Madrid.
Their response was immediate. From a short-corner routine, Carreras set up Huijsen at the far post who nodded across goal for Güler to ghost in and head home. Moments later Vinícius fired a thunderous left-footer to make it 2–1. Two goals in just 73 seconds, Real Madrid at their purest. Whoever the coach, that trademark resilience never changes. But Alonso can certainly take credit for calming Vinícius, who even exchanged smiles and a high five with referee Sánchez Martínez at halftime.
The real controversy came after the break. In the 56th minute Güler’s second goal was ruled out after VAR judged a slight handball in the buildup, a debatable call. That reprieve gave Mallorca life. Darder slipped a perfect pass to Mateo Joseph, only for Trent to make a desperate last-ditch block in his own six-yard box. Minutes later Carreras acrobatically deflected a Samu Costa rocket to safety.
Still, Mallorca could not turn their chances into an equalizer. Madrid, even showing signs of fatigue, held firm. They head into the break looking every bit like a serious and dangerous team.
Kapitano
12
3 Points is all that matters