A fixture pitting the last two champions of Europe against each other promises a clash of titans, a showcase of footballing pedigree. The recent encounter between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid in the Club World Cup semifinals certainly generated immense anticipation. However, what unfolded was not a battle of equals, but a clinical dismantling. PSG secured a crushing 4-0 victory, a scoreline as emphatic as it was unexpected for a matchup of this caliber. Yet, for those observing Real Madrid closely, the result, while shocking in its magnitude, served less as a surprise and more as a glaring confirmation of persistent, fundamental issues plaguing the Spanish giants.
The match was effectively decided within the opening minutes. PSG`s rapid-fire goals – courtesy of a brace from Fabian Ruiz and a strike from Ousmane Dembele – completely overwhelmed a static and disoriented Real Madrid defense. By halftime, with PSG leading 3-0, the initial fanfare had evaporated, replaced by a palpable sense of disappointment among the Madrid faithful. This was not merely a bad day at the office; it was a vivid demonstration of the gulf that currently exists between a cohesive, ruthlessly efficient PSG side and a Real Madrid squad grappling with an undeniable imbalance.
While Luis Enrique`s PSG has evolved into a model of consistency and tactical flexibility, capable of dismantling opposition with equal ease whether they are European heavyweights or lesser-known entities, Real Madrid under new manager Xabi Alonso presented a familiar picture of disjointedness. Despite the introduction of new personnel and the much-hyped integration of stars like Kylian Mbappe alongside Vinicius Junior and breakout player Gonzalo Garcia in attack, the systemic issues that hindered Los Blancos throughout the season remained painfully evident. This defeat marks the culmination of a trophyless campaign – the first in four years – and renders the underlying problems impossible to ignore.
“They are playing at a really good level and we must admit it,” stated Alonso after the match. “It`s the early days of this new age of Real Madrid. There`s plenty of margin for improvement. There are things we want to fine-tune and improve and it`s a painful defeat. We must admit that. We were not up to standard today.” Alonso correctly highlighted that the issues are not confined to one area, but reflect challenges across the entire team structure. The experimental front three, for instance, managed a meager combined contribution to the team`s low expected goals output, a stark statistic underlining their lack of cohesion and effectiveness on the day.
However, focusing solely on the attack misses the broader point. The team`s imbalance was conspicuous throughout the pitch. The absence of players like Trent Alexander-Arnold due to injury necessitated positional compromises, such as deploying the versatile Federico Valverde at right-back – a role that, while covered admirably, does not leverage his true strengths. More concerning, perhaps, was the performance of the central defense duo, reportedly Antonio Rudiger and Raul Asensio on the day, who appeared outclassed and frazzled by PSG`s dynamic attackers. The defensive frailties were arguably more responsible for the lopsided scoreline than the struggles of the much-discussed attacking trio.
Alonso`s post-match remarks reinforced this perspective, steering away from individual blame. “I am talking about the team, not the individuals, not the players, not the back line, not the front line,” he clarified. “I`m talking about Real Madrid as a team, how we want to play and today, we had some shortcomings… it is good to see our mistakes and you can draw lessons for the future.”
Adding a layer of bittersweet symbolism to the defeat was the final appearance for club legend Luka Modric. While his late cameo in a game already lost at 3-0 could offer little tangible impact, his departure undeniably marks the end of an era. At nearing 40, moving on from a player of Modric`s stature is a natural progression, yet his exit coincides with a moment that starkly signals the need for a fundamental shift. As Alonso, his former teammate, noted, Modric`s legacy is secure regardless of this final result; however, the game itself underscored that the baton is not simply being passed, but that the entire framework needs re-engineering.
With a new manager at the helm, now is arguably the opportune moment for a comprehensive refresh. Despite the arrival of global superstars, the reality is that 13 months have passed since Real Madrid last lifted a major trophy. Alonso framed the Club World Cup as a “soft launch” for his iteration of the team, hinting at significant changes ahead before the La Liga season commences. While a full-scale “rebuild” might sound jarring for Europe`s most successful club, the performance against PSG left little room for debate. Whether Los Blancos embrace it willingly or not, a fundamental reassessment and restructuring of the squad and playing style appear to be not just necessary, but the only viable path forward.
