Xabi Alonso talks Valverde’s injury and team’s flat performance after Rayo 0-0 Real Madrid | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s poor run of form continued on Sunday as they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Rayo Vallecano at Vallecas. This marks the team’s second consecutive match without a win or a goal, following the midweek Champions League loss at Anfield.

With a serious expression, manager Xabi Alonso appeared before the media after the match to analyze the team’s flat performance and the growing concerns surrounding lack of cohesion in the team.

What Xabi Alonso said after draw vs Vallecano

When asked about the team’s flat performance against Rayo Vallecano, Xabi Alonso admitted it was always going to be a demanding game against the opposition defence.

“We were prepared for a demanding match; in previous years it was difficult and this time was the same. Rayo demands a lot from you; we couldn’t break the deadlock. It was a frenetic context, and today was the same,” he said (h/t Diario AS).

Alonso went on to dismiss the idea that the team was suffering from “emotional highs and lows” after the recent big matches at Anfield and against Barcelona.

“After Anfield, which is now behind us, we wanted a game that went where we wanted. Anything could have happened in the second half.

“I don’t attribute it to emotional highs and lows; it’s about taking it one game at a time in the league, and today we couldn’t manage it,” he said.

Despite the team failing to score in two consecutive games, Alonso preached calm and’rejected any talk of a crisis.

“I’m concerned about continuing to grow, while making a constructive self-critique; it’s Real Madrid, it’s still November, we have to be demanding of ourselves and also moderate our approach.”\

Another frustrating performance from Xabi Alonso’s men. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

“We know where we are; in good times and bad, we have to know how to balance them; we live with this maximum demand,” he added.

He also refuted the suggestion that the team lacked intensity, calling it a closely-contested match.

“We didn’t win every duel, but we didn’t lose them either. It was a very close game. We couldn’t break through on the counter-attack, but we held firm defensively. It wasn’t a lack of intensity,” he pointed out.

The coach also explained his decision not to use reserve strikers Endrick or Gonzalo, even when the team was desperate for a goal, stating, “We had others who could create opportunities as well.”

Finally, Alonso provided an update on Fede Valverde, who left the match with discomfort, and the fitness of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

“Fede was fine before the match, Trent needs a little more time, during the break he will be able to prepare well,” he concluded.