After a goalless draw against Rayo Vallecano in La Liga, Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso admitted that the team failed to perform as expected, but emphasized that the season is still long and that growth and stability are the key priorities right now.

In the post-match press conference, Alonso said, "Rayocano will drag you into a high-speed attacking and defensive environment, which is exactly what today's game was like. Especially in the second half, both sides entered a period of frequent changes in pace, and the game became very open, even a bit out of control."

Looking back at the team's performance, Alonso pointed out that the game was not lost due to a lack of attitude or intensity: "We didn't win every match, but we didn't lose them all either. The defense was particularly solid in the second half."

“Carreras, Militao, Asensio, and Valverde performed very well in transition defense, and Camavinga also provided defensive support. The problem was not the intensity, but that we failed to create enough threats in transition defense.”

Regarding the outside world's focus on whether the match result or the performance is more important, Alonso's attitude was clear: "I am more concerned with whether we are growing, improving, and reflecting correctly. This is Madrid, and we know where we are. November has just begun, the season is still long, and we must demand more of ourselves, but at the same time remain calm."

“We can’t be defined by one game; we must learn to balance our highs and lows. The loss of control in the second half reflected a problem with our rhythm management, not a lack of commitment. We didn’t give up; we were just looking for a more consistent way to control the game.”

Despite failing to secure a victory in this match, Alonso maintained a positive attitude: "This is part of a long season, we can handle the pressure, and we are preparing for it. We will continue to move forward and take it one game at a time."