Real Madrid narrowly escaped a defeat against Talavera in the Copa del Rey Round of 32, thanks in large part to goalkeeper Andriy Lunin and a couple of fortunate goals that prevented a significant upset.
Manager Xabi Alonso’s coaching has faced strong criticism from fans, who are skeptical about his abilities after a disappointing performance against a lower division team.
Alonso’s decisions have drawn more negative attention, particularly regarding young talent Endrick, who has not been utilized effectively under his management, raising questions about his evaluation skills.
Endrick was one of the few bright spots in the match against Talavera. He displayed impressive passing and transition skills, creating two clear scoring opportunities for Kylian Mbappe, who failed to convert.
While Endrick excelled, the players Alonso typically selects over him underperformed. It seems illogical that Endrick is being considered for a January loan to Lyon while Alonso continues to use Franco Mastantuono and Gonzalo Garcia, both of whom were disappointing against Talavera.
In the post-match press conference, Xabi Alonso acknowledged the frustration of Real Madrid fans, admitting that Endrick performed exceptionally well:
“Endrick did very well, I want to congratulate him. Great change of pace, explosive, vertical. He was very good.”
Alonso’s praise could have been more emphatic, which raises questions about his willingness to admit when he is wrong. With only one good season as a coach behind him, doubts linger among fans about whether Alonso is unnecessarily holding back the team’s potential, especially when sidelined players shine when given a chance.
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