Xabi Alonso recovered the spirit of mourinhismo to face Barcelona. As Mourinho did on the eve of the 2011 Copa del Rey final by playing Pepe as a midfielder, the Basque coach opted for an unexpected and groundbreaking plan: a five-man defence, Tchouameni converted into a central defender, Gonzalo on Pedri and Vinicius acting as a number nine. It was a manoeuvre more designed to surprise than to impose, seeking to unsettle the opponent from the chalkboard and break the plans of Xavi's team. The scheme did not lead to a substantial improvement in Madrid's play, but it did allow them to compete on an equal footing, in the same way that the more pragmatic Mourinho fought against Guardiola's Barcelona. Xabi, as a player, experienced it first-hand and took good note. The team was more aggressive, more intense in duels and more committed without the ball. The tactics were not enough to win the title, but they were enough to keep them alive in the game... and for Xabi to show that he is still alive. There is no sign of the promised rock and roll, but at least the gap between the two giants of Spanish football did not seem so great Raphinha is crazy There are few players in the world who play with their nerve every game. Raphinha doesn't care if the opponent is Guadalajara in the Copa del Rey or Real Madrid in the Supercopa, he never lets up. The Brazilian was once again a nightmare for Los Blancos, appearing all over the pitch. To press, to steal, to protest, to face up, to dribble, to score... Raphinha missed the first clear chance he had, but the second went in and the third, with the help of Marco Asensio, also went in. His goals were worth the title and the Brazilian once again proved himself as a world-class player despite the fact that he is never included in the lists of the best players in the world Raul's goal Gonzalo Garcia was Raul Gonzalez in the 50th minute to make it 2-2. With a striker's goal, an opportunist's goal, a goal of faith, from the ground, when any other player would have rolled around in the area to ask for a penalty from Pedri. The Real Madrid youth player followed through and connected an unorthodox but unstoppable shot for Joan Garcia, vindicating the figure of the traditional striker. A saving goal. Vinicius at last Vinicius appeared to rescue Madrid when it was most needed. Raphinha's goal seemed to open the door to a Barcelona win, but the Brazilian picked up a ball in midfield and turned it into a great goal out of nothing. He took Kounde to his area and there, where putting his foot in for a defender can be a condemnation, he nutmegged him. Then he feinted past Cubarsi and beat Joan with a cross shot. It was a great goal by Vini to break a run of 15 games without scoring and shout that he still has a lot to say at Madrid The Brazilian was one of the best players for Real Madrid and this time he did not deserve to be substituted in the 82nd minute. Xabi surprised Flick... twice Real Madrid's official line-up announced Gonzalo's substitution and Arda's starting role at 6:30 p.m. A change from the derby that lasted 20 minutes, because the white club rectified relying on human error to say that the starter would be the Spaniard and not the Turk The second surprise came with the formation, with a five-man defense with Tchouameni between Asencio and Huijsen. It was difficult for Barca to decipher Madrid's defense, which took the game to a low-tempo duel, until the final minutes took all the tactics out of the equation Real Madrid's injury woes continue Xabi Alonso is not having an easy time of it, that's for sure. Injuries continue to plague Real Madrid match after match, forcing the coach to juggle the team. Los Blancos went into the final with Rudiger in civilian clothes and Mbappe on the bench, as an emergency option in case there was any chance in the final stretch. It seemed that things could not get any worse, but they did. Fede Valverde broke down midway through the second half, Huijsen went off stiff... Real Madrid ended up playing with Alaba, who has been out of the spotlight for some time. It was a drama Mbappe, even 'lame', is the best The Frenchman traveled to Arabia to scare the opposition and he succeeded. He played 15 minutes at 50% of his potential and still managed to provoke a sending off and create the penultimate play of the game, which ended with Carreras' shot into the hands of Joan Garcia. Regardless of what Xabi Alonso can do with the team between now and the end of the season, what is clear is that Real Madrid is in Mbappe's hands
