Source: Real Madrid
Real Madrid cemented their position atop Group H in the FIFA Club World Cup, defeating RB Salzburg 3-0 in a dominant display early Friday morning.
Goals from Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde, and Gonzalo Garcia secured the victory for Los Blancos, but it was the midfield maestro Xabi Alonso who highlighted the crucial contributions of two particular players: Arda Güler and Fede Valverde.
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Alonso Praises Midfield Control
Following the match, manager Xabi Alonso was quick to commend the impact of Güler and Valverde, particularly their influence in the first half. “Arda Güler and Fede gave us good control in the first half,” Alonso stated in his post-match interview, as reported by Madrid Zone.
He further elaborated on the significance of their contributions to the team’s overall performance.
“These are different ways that give us collective quality. The more this quality increases, the more the players benefit.” Alonso’s remarks underscore the importance of a well-balanced midfield in maintaining possession and dictating the tempo of the game, something both Güler and Valverde evidently provided against the Austrian club.
Road Ahead for Real Madrid
The win leaves Real Madrid in a strong position, leading Group H with seven points from three games.
Their attention now turns to the Round of 16, where they are set to face Italian giants Juventus on Tuesday.
With key players like Güler and Valverde demonstrating their ability to control the midfield, Real Madrid will be looking to carry this momentum into the knockout stages of the tournament.