In the Spanish Super Cup semi-final, Real Madrid beat their city rivals Atletico Madrid 2–1 to book a place in the decisive match. After the game, head coach Xabi Alonso shared his thoughts on the key moments behind the win and how the team approached the match mentally.
According to the coach, scoring early in a high-pressure semi-final gave the team a crucial advantage. Alonso made it clear that the priorities were to protect that edge, avoid losing control and, above all, achieve the main objective—reaching the final.
He added that at certain stages Real had to operate in a more defensive structure. But that did not mean “just defending”—it was a decision dictated by the flow of the game: reading the situation correctly and taking a practical route to secure the result, Alonso explained.
At the same time, the coach noted that leading 1–0 can sometimes put a team in an uncomfortable psychological state. In such moments, every second and every episode is judged separately: one mistake can change the entire script. For Alonso, the core idea was simple: the goal was not to “blend in” or “just hold on,” but to win the game and see the task through to the end.
In the end, Real Madrid achieved their target—reaching the final. Now Alonso’s side face another major test in the Spanish Super Cup final: they will take on Barcelona for the trophy.
In short, the semi-final win was not only about the scoreline, but also the result of character, patience and smart calculation. And the most exciting part is still to come: a final Clásico that is set to be a true celebration for fans.
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