Mbappe substitution frustration was a clear theme in Xabi Alonso’s post-match assessment following Real Madrid’s narrow defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Speaking after the 3-2 loss in Jeddah, the Real Madrid head coach admitted he was unhappy with the timing of Kylian Mbappe’s introduction, believing the French forward was meant to enter the contest earlier than he eventually did.
The final, which delivered an intense Clasico spectacle, saw Barcelona lift the first trophy of the year, while Real Madrid were left to reflect on key moments that swung the balance of the match.
Among those moments, Mbappe substitution frustration stood out as a source of regret for Alonso.
Mbappe Named on the Bench Despite Late Fitness Clearance
Mbappe substitution frustration stemmed in part from the circumstances surrounding the forward’s availability.
Mbappe was named among the substitutes after travelling to Saudi Arabia earlier in the week specifically for the final.
Initially, the France international had been ruled out of both the semi-final and a potential final due to injury concerns.
However, further assessments deemed Mbappe fit enough to be involved in the showpiece occasion.
Despite that clearance, he remained on the bench for much of the contest as Real Madrid and Barcelona traded blows in a closely fought encounter.
Planned Introduction Disrupted by Barcelona’s Third Goal
According to Alonso via real Madrid official website, Mbappe substitution frustration was intensified by the timing of Barcelona’s decisive moment. Mbappe eventually entered the match in the 76th minute, shortly after Barcelona regained the lead through Raphinha’s second goal of the evening, which made it 3-2.
Alonso revealed that the substitution had been planned before that goal was conceded. He explained that Mbappe was due to come on moments earlier, but the concession altered the context in which the change was made.
The coach acknowledged that it was unfortunate the forward’s introduction came when Real Madrid were already trailing.
Alonso Explains Tactical Reasoning Behind Mbappe Change
Elaborating further on the Mbappe substitution frustration, Alonso outlined the tactical intent behind bringing the forward on.
The plan was to inject imbalance and attacking threat into Real Madrid’s play, using Mbappe’s movement between the lines and his ability to exploit space.
Alonso noted that Mbappe did provide some of those qualities once he entered the match, but the impact was reduced by the scoreline at that stage.
With Real Madrid chasing the game, the timing limited how effectively the plan could unfold. The coach admitted it was a pity the substitution did not occur before Barcelona regained the lead.
Clasico Bragging Rights Swing Back to Barcelona
The Spanish Super Cup final result returned Clasico bragging rights to Barcelona after Real Madrid had triumphed in La Liga back in October.
The defeat also placed additional scrutiny on Alonso, whose position has come under pressure following the loss of a major domestic trophy opportunity.
Despite the disappointment, Alonso maintained a balanced perspective in his assessment. While Mbappe substitution frustration was evident, he also emphasised his pride in the way his players approached the final and remained competitive throughout the match.
Mixed Emotions for Alonso After the Final Whistle
Alonso described a mixture of emotions following the defeat. On one side was the obvious disappointment of missing out on a title, but on the other was satisfaction with the team’s effort and commitment.
He stressed that Real Madrid competed until the end and pushed Barcelona throughout an evenly matched final.
The coach highlighted that the contest featured different phases, with momentum shifting between the two sides.
Real Madrid’s determination to stay in the game was evident, even as Barcelona found ways to edge ahead.
Defensive Resilience and Second-Half Improvement
Reflecting on the match in detail, Alonso pointed out that Real Madrid showed resilience, particularly in the opening stages.
He noted that during the first 30 minutes, his side conceded very little and managed the game without the ball when required.
Mbappe substitution frustration did not overshadow his broader analysis, which included praise for the team’s attitude and organisation.
Alonso explained that there were moments when Real Madrid needed to absorb pressure and maintain control, something he felt the players executed well.
In the second half, Alonso observed an improvement in Real Madrid’s play down the left side, with Vinicius Junior becoming increasingly influential. That progress reinforced his belief that the team were capable of creating chances to level the match late on.
Fine Margins Decide the Spanish Super Cup Final
The decisive goal, which made it 3-2 to Barcelona, came from a rebound situation.
Alonso admitted that this moment was a turning point, but insisted he remained convinced that Real Madrid would still have opportunities to equalise.
Despite Mbappe substitution frustration and the missed chance to take the game to penalties, Alonso concluded that the margins in the final were extremely fine. He felt Real Madrid lacked the final bit of success needed to force the match beyond normal time.
Looking Ahead After Mbappe Substitution Frustration
While the defeat will linger, Alonso’s comments suggested a determination to build on the performance rather than dwell solely on Mbappe substitution frustration.
The Spanish Super Cup final offered signs of resilience and competitiveness, even if the result did not fall Real Madrid’s way.
For Alonso and his squad, the challenge now is to channel the lessons from Jeddah into future competitions, ensuring that moments like Mbappe substitution frustration do not define the season, but instead contribute to growth and improvement moving forward.
