New Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso spoke to the media after his debut in charge of the team. Real drew 1:1 with last season's second-placed in Saudi Pro league Al Hilal in their first match of the Club World Cup in the United States. Real could have won in the end, but Federico Valverde missed a penalty.

Asked if he was disappointed by the things that didn't work out, Alonso was emphatic: "No, I know there's room for improvement. I saw a reaction in the second half. Everything takes time. We have had only three training sessions together. The demanding for the result are there, but what we want to be - we need time for that", began the former Madrid player and continued regarding the final result:

"Mixed feelings. It's a shame about the result because we were much better in the second half. The first half didn't bring me joy - it will help us see what we need to improve. After the break we were better balanced, we had more possession, we pressed them and we missed a goal. I'll take that from the game as a lesson and we'll build on it".

Regarding the new players, he said: "Dean did great, Trent was improving like everyone else. I'm happy for them".

And he turned his attention to the next match and the availability of Kylian Mbappe, who did not play against Al Hilal because he of illness. "Almost all the coaches in this group are new. The same goes for Pachuca. Lozano was not in the previous match against Real. They are a good team, so it will be difficult for us against them too. Regarding Kylian, we have to see how things develop there. The last two days have been difficult for him... we will see what his condition will be", concluded Alonso. | BGNES