MADRID: Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso said on Monday he wanted his team’s performance on the pitch to do the talking for him as he begins his first La Liga campaign at home against Osasuna on Tuesday.

Former Bayer Leverkusen coach Alonso, loved by Real fans for his trophy-laden playing years at the Santiago Bernabeu and with Spain, has been charged with reviving a Real side that ended last season without a major trophy.

In the Club World Cup, which was Alonso’s first competition as Real coach, they were knocked out by Paris St Germain in a 4-0 semi-final loss last month.

Real, under Italian Carlo Ancelotti, finished four points behind La Liga champions Barcelona and failed to retain their Champions League crown after a quarter-final exit. They also lost the Copa del Rey final to bitter rivals Barca.

“I’m more about doing than talking,” Alonso, who led Bayer Leverkusen to a remarkable Bundesliga and German Cup double two seasons ago,

told reporters. “Making promises before you act doesn’t usually work in football. Just saying it is not going to make it happen.

“We are working hard and people are eager, you can feel that. We are also very eager, we want to start this new project, with new players, a new coach, and bring this energy we have to the stadium, and earn their [the fans’] support, not just talk about it.

“Talking about it won’t make it happen, otherwise it would all be very easy. We have to earn it and we have to start tomorrow on that path to get where we want to be in May.”

Alonso added the team’s shortened pre-season will not be used as an excuse after Real’s request to postpone their league opener to a later date was rejected by Spanish football officials, and they have played just one friendly since their loss to PSG in New Jersey on July 9.

“Obviously it would have been nice to receive some support with our request, especially for the players’ health... after such a long season and to have a little more preparation time,” Alonso said. “But anyway, in the end it wasn’t to be and that’s that. We’ve only had two weeks and there’s no point looking for excuses now.”

Alonso has bolstered Real’s defence with England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold joining from Liverpool along with Bournemouth’s 20-year-old Spain centre-back Dean Huijsen and left back Alvaro Carrera from Benfica.

The reinforcements address last season’s defensive troubles that deflated Real’s title challenge. Defender Dani Carvajal, who is easing his way back after last season’s ACL injury, has been named in Real’s squad to face Osasuna.

“It’s great competition for the players, and I love that we have two who can play in each position,” said Alonso. “Sometimes I will have to rotate. Carvajal is getting closer and closer to his best, and that’s very good for the squad.”

However, Real will be without Antonio Ruediger (suspended) as well as injured left back Ferland Mendy, midfielders Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham plus forward Endrick.

Alonso also discussed Real’s decision to denounce plans for a Barcelona-Villarreal La Liga match in Miami in December.

Real have warned that the proposal could undermine football’s competitive balance and vowed to petition soccer’s governing bodies to block the move.

The December 20 fixture, approved by the Spanish Football Federation last week, could become the first La Liga match held abroad and the first European league game in the United States. It requires approval from UEFA, US Soccer, CONCACAF and FIFA.

“I very much agree with the club’s (Real’s) statement. If the rules are to be changed, it must be by unanimous agreement of all the participants [in the league]. Otherwise, it cannot be done,” Alonso said.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2025