Madrid Faces Resilience and Controversy in Elche Draw

Upon arriving at the Martinez Valero, Real Madrid aimed to stabilize their performance, but Elche had different intentions. Alonso’s squad dominated possession for extended periods, pushing Elche back into their defensive third. However, Madrid’s ball circulation remained predictable, lacking the penetrative runs or combinations necessary to break through Elche’s compact defensive lines.

In contrast, Elche demonstrated sharpness and directness, taking advantage of Madrid’s disorganization whenever the initial line of pressure was bypassed. This strategy bore fruit early in the second half when Aleix Febas scored, capitalizing on poor marking at the edge of the box. Although Dean Huijsen equalized during a chaotic set-piece situation, Elche responded swiftly through Alvaro Rodriguez, once again highlighting gaps in Madrid’s defensive structure.

The pivotal moment occurred in the closing minutes of the match. Trailing 2-1, Madrid pushed forward, creating sustained pressure that led to a chaotic sequence inside the box. Vinicius clashed heavily with Inaki Pena as both pursued a loose ball, with the goalkeeper subsequently falling to the ground clutching his face. Despite this, play continued, allowing Jude Bellingham to score the rebound, leveling the match at 2-2. The referee’s decision to allow the advantage to stand became the focal point of post-match discussions.

Elche’s coach, Eder Sarabia, expressed his dissatisfaction shortly after the final whistle, asserting that the officiating had a direct impact on the match’s outcome. Replays indicated that Vinicius’ knee collided with Pena’s face during the aerial challenge, leaving the goalkeeper visibly dazed. Elche players immediately protested, claiming the challenge hindered Pena’s ability to contest the rebound. VAR upheld the referee’s decision, which further fueled frustration in the home dugout.

Sarabia did not hold back in his post-match remarks, clearly articulating his displeasure. “No, I’m not happy, not at all. I already told the players I was gutted, and when I saw the decisive calls, I’m even more so. The foul before the second goal wasn’t a foul at all. What’s more, it was a counter-attack that could have made it 3-1. Vinicius didn’t touch the ball; it hit Pena in the face. That’s a clear foul,” he stated.

He continued, expressing frustration with the circumstances: “It makes me angry to have to waste time on these things. When you play against Real Madrid and lead twice, only to feel that factors influenced the final result, it makes you angry.”

Despite the controversy surrounding the match, the result maintains Los Blancos narrowly at the top of La Liga, although their lead has diminished to a single point over Barcelona. This draw contributes to a sequence that includes a defeat to Liverpool and a stalemate against Rayo Vallecano. In three matches, Madrid has failed to secure a win, with a recurring pattern emerging: dominating possession without sufficient incisiveness, fragile defensive transitions, and repetitive attacking strategies when facing opponents that close down central lanes.

At Anfield, Liverpool’s intense pressing exposed Madrid’s challenges in high-tempo away games. Against Rayo, Madrid struggled to break down a low defensive block, and at Elche, mental lapses and slow reactions led to two goals conceded from direct attacks.

Alonso has approached the team’s situation with a calm demeanor, asserting that they remain on the right path while acknowledging areas needing improvement. He has emphasized the necessity for sharper execution, improved discipline in rest-defense, and contributions from players beyond the usual stars Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius, and Bellingham.

Tactical adjustments are underway, focusing on controlled build-ups to thwart counter-attacks, maintaining spacing to apply pressure, and ensuring midfield runners are more involved. He has also called for heightened focus in aerial duels and set-piece situations, which have cost Madrid valuable points.

While external narratives suggest a potential wobble, Madrid perceives this period as a necessary test rather than a crisis. The upcoming schedule offers little respite, with Olympiacos next in Europe, followed by a match against Girona on November 30. Both fixtures are crucial not just for Madrid’s season but also for their confidence.

Alonso has stressed the importance of urgency, collective responsibility, and a return to the early-season standards that once made Madrid appear invulnerable. Currently, the team occupies the top position in the league with 32 points, followed closely by Barcelona with 31, Villarreal with 29, and Atletico Madrid with 28.