Xabi Alonso Expresses Anger Over Controversial Red Card During Victory Against Real Sociedad

Real Madrid’s head coach Xabi Alonso has voiced his frustration regarding the red card issued to Dean Huijsen in the match against Real Sociedad, which ended in a 2-1 win for his team.

Match Overview

The match saw goals from Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler for Real Madrid, while Mikel Oyarzabal managed to score for La Real from the penalty spot after halftime. However, Huijsen’s sending off in the first half significantly shifted the dynamics of the game.

Key Events

• Red Card Incident: Huijsen was shown a red card for pulling down Oyarzabal while being the last defender.
• Manager’s Reaction: Alonso commented, “In my opinion, it should have been a yellow card. Mili (Militao) was nearby, and the ball was not under control. After reviewing the incident, I stand by my view. The explanation provided did not convince me, and that’s where I’ll leave it. The game’s context changed significantly, and we had to compete with ten players for the majority of the match.”

Team Performance

Despite the setback, Alonso praised his team’s resilience.

Coach’s Remarks

• “We created chances and scored a second goal to give us a cushion. The players demonstrated commendable effort and were willing to fight hard.”
• “Securing a win at Anoeta is always a challenging feat, and today it was even tougher.”

Future Outlook

Alonso reflected on the team’s ongoing journey, stating, “Even with four consecutive victories, we have a long way to go. We need to continue building on this success. The results are encouraging, but analyzing performance when playing with a man down is complex.”

Regarding his return to his former club and the pre-match tribute to John Toshack, he expressed, “I’ve been following all of Real Sociedad’s games, and I believe they deserve more points. I have faith that they will climb the rankings.”

Emotional Tribute

Alonso added, “There are talented players in the squad, and Sergio (Francisco) is performing remarkably well. The tribute to Toshack was heartfelt, as he played a significant role in my development as a footballer.”