Real Madrid insiders cite inexperience and lack of leadership as reasons for derby humiliation | OneFootball

Real Madrid were handed a humbling reminder of where they stand in their rebuild under Xabi Alonso on Saturday, as neighbours Atletico Madrid trounced them 5-2 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

It was the first defeat of the 2025/26 season for Los Blancos and second overall under Alonso, after the 4-0 drubbing the team ha received against PSG in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final.

Inexperience and lack of leadership hurt Real Madrid

According to The Athletic, one of the sources within the Real Madrid coaching staff chalked down the defeat to Atletico Madrid to the inexperience in the ranks.

After all, Real Madrid’s starting lineup consisted of two 20-year-olds in Arda Guler and Dean Huijsen, both of whom were starting their first ever Madrid derby, along with 22-year-old Alvaro Carreras.

At half-time, Real Madrid were forced to withdraw Eder Militao and replace him with 22-year-old Raul Asencio. Alonso’s next substitutes were Eduardo Camavinga (22) and Franco Mastantuono (18), with the latter playing his first ever derby.

Heavy defeat for Real Madrid vs Atletico. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Another insider from within the club pointed at a possible lack of leadership in the team as a cause for the heavy defeat.

Despite the presence of some big names and established players in their team, this Los Blancos team seems to be lacking the leaders like in the past – the likes of Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos, and Luka Modric – in their ranks.

Jude Bellingham, one of the most important players, had a forgettable outing, which was not a surprise considering he was starting his first game of the season.

Aurelien Tchouameni, one of the more experienced players in the team, was found wanting, while Vinicius Jr. and Fede Valverde also did not rise to the occasion either.

Alonso is ushering in a new era at Real Madrid, one where he has youthful exuberance and vibrancy at the forefront. And he remains confident that he can build a successful team. But, last evening’s result showed that there is still a long way to go.