'I haven’t spent much time' – Boniface’s former boss Alonso defends poor Al Hilal display, makes key promise

Victor Boniface’s former boss, Xabi Alonso, has stepped forward to defend Real Madrid’s underwhelming performance against Al Hilal at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Pulse Sports Nigeria reports that Alonso defended his team while making a clear promise to fans and the club after a dramatic night at Hard Rock Stadium.

The clash between the European and Saudi giants delivered everything the Club World Cup is known for: end-to-end action, flashes of brilliance, and late drama.

Al Hilal dominated the first half, putting Real Madrid under intense pressure and forcing Los Blancos to dig deep.

The Spanish side improved after the break, but the match remained on a knife-edge until the final whistle, with Yassine Bounou’s stunning save from a late Fede Valverde penalty capping off a pulsating contest.

Speaking after the match, Alonso was honest about the team’s struggles and the journey ahead.

“I haven't spent much time with this team,” he said, acknowledging both the challenges and opportunities that come with leading a new squad.

Reflecting on the intense encounter, Alonso admitted, “I didn't enjoy the first half too much, but it will help us improve. We were missing the goal. I'm left with the fact that we were much better in the second half.”

Despite the scare, Alonso’s message was clear: Real Madrid will use this experience as a springboard for growth.

“In every game, we have to take advantage and learn from what we can improve on, and certainly every game will give us lessons to improve on,” he added.

With a promise to learn and improve, Alonso has set the tone for the rest of Real Madrid’s Club World Cup campaign.

The pressure is on, but the Spanish giants and their new boss are determined to rise to the occasion.