Xabi Alonso: First Clásico, first win | OneFootball

Xabi Alonso: First Clásico, first win

Xabi Alonso wasted no time making his mark on Spain's biggest football showdown. In his very first Clásico as Real Madrid manager, the Spaniard guided his team to a crucial victory over FC Barcelona (2-1).

Arriving this summer to usher in a new era in Madrid, Alonso knew this clash would be a test of authority, character, and ambition. And he passed with flying colors. Against relentless Catalan pressing, Real displayed a rock-solid structure and seized control of the game's pivotal moments. Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring, and Jude Bellingham doubled the lead just before halftime—two clinical blows delivered right where Barcelona was most vulnerable.

Even as the tempo dropped in the second half, Madrid's defensive unit held firm—a testament to Alonso's pragmatic approach: knowing how to suffer without losing shape. This hard-fought win, secured in a fiery atmosphere, further boosts the confidence of a Real side determined to conquer all comers.