Real Madrid draw and Xabi Alonso points to a player: 'He said it to his face'

Real Madrid has not managed to get past a draw in their visit to Vallecas, ending with a 0-0 that clearly feels like a defeat. Rayo Vallecano, very well positioned on the field, was the team that sought victory the most, playing with greater intensity than Los Blancos. Íñigo Pérez's team deserved more, showing an order and clarity of ideas that at this moment seem absent in the white squad.

Xabi Alonso's project, which just a few weeks ago exuded hope and energy, is starting to show signs of stagnation. The team can't find fluidity in attack or freshness in ball movement. Although they still show some solidity in defense thanks to Courtois's interventions, the truth is that offensively they're completely blocked.

Real Madrid fades

During the 90 minutes, Real Madrid barely created any real danger for the opposing goal. Vinícius Júnior had one of his dullest matches, lacking depth and dribbling. Bellingham, who started with energy, faded as the minutes went by. Mbappé, meanwhile, couldn't get into the match.

Even Arda Güler, one of the most game-changing players in recent weeks, was completely absent. Real Madrid's attack was a succession of inaccuracies and poor decisions, something that frustrated Xabi Alonso on the sideline. The Basque coach, visibly upset, tried to move pieces, but not even the substitutions managed to change the course of the match.

Xabi Alonso points to Dean Huijsen

According to reports after the match, the white coach has kept a private talk with Dean Huijsen. The young center-back was substituted at halftime, after a complicated first half in which he received a yellow card. His lack of concentration and some positioning errors caused more than one scare in the white defense.

Xabi Alonso, who trusts his potential, has already spoken directly with Dean Huijsen in the days leading up to the match. According to sources close to the locker room, the coach reportedly told him that he must raise his level immediately if he wants to keep getting minutes. The message was clear and forceful: at Real Madrid there's no room for relaxation or for continuous mistakes.

Xabi Alonso believes that Dean Huijsen has exceptional qualities, but he's afraid that a lack of maturity is taking its toll. There have already been several matches in which the Dutch center-back has made mistakes that have compromised the team. That's why Xabi Alonso would be considering the possibility of giving him a rest in the coming matches.

The draw against Rayo Vallecano leaves many doubts and a direct warning from the bench. Real Madrid can't afford stumbles like this if they want to stay in the title race. Xabi Alonso has already pointed to Dean Huijsen, making it clear that the margin for error is over.