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Alonso Says Mbappé Was Not Ready to Start as Real Madrid Lose Supercopa 3-2 to Barcelona

The coach said a planned earlier introduction for the forward was overtaken by Barcelona’s go-ahead goal.

Overview

  • Barcelona won the Supercopa final 3-2, with Kylian Mbappé entering in the 76th minute after Barcelona moved ahead.
  • Xabi Alonso explained that Mbappé was not fit to start at the match’s required intensity and had been slated to come on before the third goal.
  • Alonso said injuries and physical condition are limiting Real Madrid’s stability and ability to distribute the workload across the squad.
  • Vinícius Júnior, described by Alonso as a game-changer, asked to be substituted around the 85th minute because of fatigue in humid conditions.
  • Alonso expressed pride in the effort despite the loss, said Madrid lacked the finishing touch to reach penalties, downplayed the Supercopa’s importance, and noted his brief post-match exchange with Florentino Pérez was uneventful.