Sun Jan 11 16:50:00 UTC 2026: ### Xabi Alonso Channels Mourinho, Raphinha Shines as Barcelona Claims Supercopa Title
The Story:
In a Supercopa de España final marked by tactical surprises and individual brilliance, Barcelona defeated Real Madrid. Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso adopted a defensive strategy reminiscent of José Mourinho, deploying a five-man defense and repositioning players to disrupt Barcelona’s attack. However, Raphinha‘s standout performance, including two goals, proved decisive for Barcelona. Despite a resilient effort from Real Madrid, fueled by a stunning goal from Vinicius Jr. and an opportunistic strike from Gonzalo García, Barcelona ultimately secured the title.
Key Points:
* Xabi Alonso implemented a surprising tactical approach, mirroring Mourinho‘s strategies against Guardiola‘s Barcelona, using a five-man defense.
* Raphinha delivered a match-winning performance for Barcelona, scoring two goals, solidifying his status as a world-class player.
* Vinicius Jr. ended a 15-game goal drought with a brilliant individual goal.
* Real Madrid suffered multiple injuries during the match, including Fede and Huijsen, further complicating Xabi Alonso‘s tactical plans.
* Mbappé played the final 15 minutes and influenced the game, even drawing a foul that led to an expulsion.
* The original lineup included Arda as a starter, but a human error led to Gonzalo playing in his place.
Critical Analysis:
The historical context provided indicates that Xabi Alonso‘s management of Real Madrid is under scrutiny. The suggestions to start Gonzalo García, concerns about Vinicius Jr.‘s fit within the team, and the speculation surrounding Mbappé‘s role all point to a team in transition and under pressure to perform. The news article highlights the tactical risks Alonso is willing to take, evidenced by the unexpected defensive setup, while also showing the team is struggling with injuries to key players. Mbappé‘s potential influence, even in limited playing time, further emphasizes the reliance on individual brilliance rather than a cohesive team strategy, which is a gamble from Xabi Alonso.
Key Takeaways:
- Xabi Alonso is attempting to imprint his tactical vision on Real Madrid, even if it means deviating from established norms.
- Raphinha‘s performance underscores his importance to Barcelona and reinforces his ability to perform in high-stakes matches.
- Real Madrid’s reliance on individual brilliance is evident, particularly from Vinicius Jr. and potentially Mbappé.
- Injuries continue to plague Real Madrid, forcing Xabi Alonso to make difficult decisions and adapt his strategy.
- Mbappé‘s presence, even as a substitute, has a tangible impact on the game, highlighting his importance to Real Madrid.
First Piper 