A bald man in the foreground with a serious expression, and in the background a soccer match where a player in white kicks the ball while several players in red watch him.
Marcos López and, behind him, Mbappé taking the penalty against Osasuna | Camara Real Madrid Confidencial
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Marcos López hits back at critics of Madrid and warns about the team's major problem

After the league debut, he has wanted to put an end to all criticism

by

Borja Díaz

Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid finally got rolling in La Liga after the initial tests at the Club World Cup. It's true that they did so with hardly any preparation after just two weeks of preseason. Even so, they were able to take all 3 points against an Osasuna side that sat back.

Many have wanted to criticize Madrid and Xabi Alonso's debut in the domestic championship. They are trying to start a campaign against the Merengues to belittle this project. However, they've come up against Marcos López, who has been very forceful.

Real Madrid player celebrating a goal with arms outstretched during a match against a team in red uniforms
Mbappé celebrating his goal against Osasuna | Real Madrid Confidencial

The analyst has emphasized this, the lack of preparation they've had, and the "fierce criticism" they've received. Especially when "the easiest thing would've been to drop some points, or all of them" against Osasuna. He believes that many of these details will be solved as the sessions at Valdebebas go on.

Although he has focused on the major problem that Real Madrid encountered in its debut. "If we're talking about intensive retreat, Madrid lack crosses, finishing, and above all, presence in the box," he stated. These are things that can be refined with more training and work.

Xabi Alonso also insisted on the same thing

Marcos López's analysis closely matches what Xabi Alonso said in the press conference. At the end of the match, the Tolosa native emphasized the little time he had to prepare for the game. Just two weeks of preseason against a team that was much more match-fit.

Soccer coach sitting at a press conference with a sponsor backdrop and a microphone in front of him
Xabi Alonso speaking at a press conference | Enrique Sanz

"There are positive things besides the result, which is the important thing, after two weeks of preseason. Against a team that had a longer one, I take away things we've worked on and that turned out well. There are things we're missing, but I'm sure this will give us stability to keep going," he said.

The path is the right one and they've taken the first steps, but a bit of patience is needed. Especially because he admitted that they hadn't been able to work on attacking such closed defenses. He trusts that with a few more training sessions, they'll reach an optimal level.

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