Madrid will learn lessons from Al-Hilal draw, insists Alonso

Xabi Alonso insists Real Madrid will learn lessons from every game to keep improving after his first game in charge ended in an underwhelming 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal at the Club World Cup.

Federico Valverde was thwarted from the penalty spot by Bono late in Wednesday’s clash at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium after Mohammed Al Qahtani was judged to have caught Fran Garcia in the face.

In truth, Madrid would have been undeserved winners of a Group H clash in which they took the lead through Gonzalo Garcia but were pegged back by Ruben Neves’ 41st-minute penalty.

Arda Guler did also hit the crossbar but Al-Hilal missed a host of good opportunities themselves and Alonso – appointed as Carlo Ancelotti’s successor last month – says there is plenty more to come.

“I would say that the first half was not as good as the second, we improved in the second half, we had better chances and better control,” he told DAZN in his post-match interview.

“Every game we need to take positives, learn from what we can improve and every game will give us lessons to keep improving.

“We had great support, it was a great crowd, we have really big fans from all over the world and we are delighted with that.”

@realmadriden 1-1 @Alhilal_EN
34′ @gonzalo7garcia_
41′ Neves (p) pic.twitter.com/ptpT18Mdl2

— Real Madrid C.F.