Game against "Atletico" could be decisive for Xabi Alonso

Real Madrid's head coach, Xabi Alonso, will be looking to secure a crucial victory this evening in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Atletico. The winner of the Madrid derby will face Barcelona in the final. The Catalan club won the other semi-final 5-0 against Athletic.

Idman.Biz reports that Real Madrid last faced Atletico in September at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium, where they lost 5-2. Robin Le Normand, Alexander Sørloth, Julian Alvarez twice, and Antoine Griezmann scored in that match.

Xabi Alonso is already under significant pressure after a difficult start to his tenure at the Bernabeu. Although the team defeated Betis 5-1 in their first game of 2026, an overall dip in form and Barcelona's consecutive victories meant Real finished the year four points behind their rivals.

Ahead of the semi-final, Alonso stated that the team must be fully prepared psychologically for the game:

"This is a semi-final, and we must be mentally ready, fight, and pay attention to details. Atletico is always a difficult opponent, but we have enough reasons to go into this game with great energy and desire. This is the first title of the season, and that is why it is the most important cup. We want to perform better than in the league game. We know what was missing in that game, and we don't want to repeat the same mistakes. I believe that the team will show a different face, a different level this time. You can draw positive lessons from defeats, and we will not repeat some things."