Head coach praises his side’s mentality to draw level after going behind
Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso wants his side to remain calm after Los Blancos were held to a third straight draw in La Liga.
A first-half strike from Azzedine Ounahi put the hosts ahead at Montilivi before Real Madrid responded after the break, Kylian Mbappe converting a penalty after the hour to restore parity. Madrid pressed for a winner but were unable to find one and had to settle for a point and second place in the table.
Barcelona went ahead with their 3-1 defeat of Deportivo Alaves on Saturday.
“In the second half we improved, we had more chances,” Alonso said. “We weren’t clinical to get the three points. But it’s a very long season, and we have to keep going.”
Madrid had taken 10 wins from their first 11 league matches, before drifting into a dreadful November form that has seen them drop points in four out of six games, including the 1-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield.
But Alonso said: “There are different phases in a season. At the start, we were more consistent away from home.
“The team was enthusiastic to come back at 1-0 down. We had three or four quite clear chances to score the second goal and win.”
The coach said he had “no criticism” of his players and instead praised them for the mentality to keep pushing until they drew level.
“I liked the reaction [to going behind],” said Alonso. “It wasn’t enough but we were close. We have to remain united, with the necessary self-criticism.”
