After a trio of La Liga matches, Real Madrid has kicked off its 2025-26 campaign with a perfect 3-0 record, earning nine points in the process. While that peerless mark may inspire a fleet of confidence for the Los Blancos supporters, Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso knows that this season will be a growing process as the team rounds into form.
Against Mallorca this weekend, Real Madrid conceded first in the match, allowing a goal to Mallorca forward Verdat Muriqi in the 18th minute. But instead of allowing the early deficit to dismantle Real Madrid’s game plan, Alonso indicated that the squad locked in from that point on and improved throughout the course of its 2-1 victory on Saturday.
“We attacked better than against Osasuna and created more, especially from the 20th minute onwards against a low block from the opponent,” Alonso told the media. “We have to keep insisting, but the conviction of the team and the players is building, and that’s important to me.”
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Clearly, Alonso understands the phrase ‘Rome was not built in a day,’ and has applied a similar principle to Real Madrid as he continues to implement his ideas and tactics. Still, Alonso found several bright spots in the club’s third win of the young season.
In the 37th minute, Turkiye international Arda Guler finished off a clever sequence of play with an open header directly into the back of the Mallorca net to bring the match level at a goal apiece. One minute later, Vini Jr. darted his way into the Mallorca box before firing a shot across goal and passed Mallorca keeper Leo Roman to give Madrid a 2-1 edge.
“Vini Jr. made a good contribution and played a better game than he did against Osasuna at home,” Alonso said. “The goal was important. I’m happy with his performance. Rodrygo also had a good time. The three substitutions gave us confidence because we were losing control of the game. We need that, for people to be ready to contribute.”
As Alonso mentioned, Rodrygo saw the pitch as a late-game substitution for Vini Jr., and the Brazilian acquitted himself well in his relatively short appearance. Forward Kylian Mbappe was also substituted for Gonzalo Garcia late in the match as the French superstar posted his first goalless La Liga contest of the season. Regardless, Alonso dispelled notions of concern as he maintained a long-term focus for the development of this season’s Real Madrid team.
“We knew that in these first three games it was important to compete in order to progress and define the path we want,” Alonso said. “The international break comes, and then a block of matches with the Champions League.”
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Real Madrid will take the field against Real Sociedad on Saturday, Sept. 13 before beginning its Champions League conquest shortly thereafter.
For more information on La Liga and each of its 20 first division clubs, follow @EricJRutter and @sportingnews on X for continued football coverage.
