Real Madrid’s play have not been convincing. Even so, the club is back in a final, one game away from lifting another trophy. A grueling, edge-of-the-seat win over Atlético Madrid was enough to set up a decisive Supercopa clash with Barcelona on Sunday, January 11 (kick-off 2 p.m. ET)
The analysis and criticism of what the team is producing on the field are shared across the club, from the players to senior executives. After the semifinal against Atlético, voices in the VIP box at King Abdullah Stadium were blunt: “We’re not playing good soccer, we’re struggling.” The comment came immediately after sealing a place in a final that repeats the same venue and the same opponent as a year ago.
Real Madrid players accept criticism
There is no attempt to hide that assessment. Everyone acknowledges there is room for improvement, but there remains confidence that the team can turn it around at any moment. Still, it was telling to hear club officials openly concede that this is the reality of the current Real Madrid lineup.
The squad feels the same way. The players believe they can offer far more, and that the team’s true level is nowhere near what it has shown so far. They admit they owe the fans and the club better performances. Over these days in Jeddah, Xabi Alonso’s players have talked things through and tried to find solutions to a poor run of form.
Final against Barcelona
Even postgame conversations with Atlético players reflected those doubts. The intense heat during the semifinal, which will again be a factor against Barcelona, is not being used as an excuse.
In a team meeting at their luxury Hilton hotel in the Saudi city, the message was clear: the competitive level has to rise immediately. This time, there was no need to wait for a pregame speech from the club president. The players themselves acknowledged their mistakes and pledged to turn the situation around, aiming to start the club’s trophy count for the season.
They see this as no longer about saving the coach. The group insists it has not turned its back on the staff, but is focused on reclaiming the standard Real Madrid expects and competing at the highest level. A final against Barcelona is motivation enough to search for that return to normality — a Real Madrid that fights for everything. Despite the doubts surrounding the team, that possibility remains. Pride has been wounded, at least inside the locker room.
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