How bad will Alonso be missed in the CL final?

I am so bummed. Admittedly, I have always been a big fanboy (as many know), but he is clearly a very important beacon for the team.

Madrid also doesn't have a clear direct replacement (Khedira or Illara come to mind, or a whole new strategy altogether).

So unnecessary.

It's sad, because he and Ancelotti are the only likeable things about Real Madrid, and if they do go on to win, it would have been great for him to play a part in the final.

Yeah, I am so sad- this was most likely his last CL final.
Maybe if they make it again next year. But still.

Guiltybystander wrote:I am so bummed. Admittedly, I have always been a big fanboy (as many know), but he is clearly a very important beacon for the team.

Madrid also doesn't have a clear direct replacement (Khedira or Illara come to mind, or a whole new strategy altogether).

So unnecessary.

Depends on who we play. Could be a blessing in disguise if we play Atletico. He can't handle the pressure they put on him.

The_Badger wrote:It's sad, because he and Ancelotti are the only likeable things about Real Madrid, and if they do go on to win, it would have been great for him to play a part in the final.

erm, mate.








just a few examples....

Depends who we play tbh.

I think regardless of who they play he will be sorely missed.

In a final as big as La Decima, you need a player with the leadership and discipline that Xabi brings to the midfield.

His possible replacements (Illarra, Khedira, Isco, Varane even) are all great players in their own way but none have dealt with the pressure of a final this big. Not having Xabi is a massive liability not matter how you look at it.

 pairing of illarramendi-isco will do just fine, not to take anything away from Alonso but that might prove to be beneficial for Madrid specially if they face chelsea   

vanDEEZ wrote:I think regardless of who they play he will be sorely missed.

In a final as big as La Decima, you need a player with the leadership and discipline that Xabi brings to the midfield.

His possible replacements (Illarra, Khedira, Isco, Varane even) are all great players in their own way but none have dealt with the pressure of a final this big.  Not having Xabi is a massive liability not matter how you look at it.  

I agree with you completely- he is really missed in any match. Only good thing is that Madrid won't have to face the strongest team ever (no hate against Chelsea or Atleti- and I know Madrid don't always win against them!!!), not having him against a team like Bayern would have been worse, imo. For example, I think he was the best player in last week's match again Bayern, and that we would have seen a very different outcome without him.

We'll see.

Alonso may not do well against certain teams, but he's certainly a better option compared to who we have on the bench to replace him. This season Alonso's been a crucial and integral part of the team. He holds the midfield well and he has a big game presence about him. Modric covers his weaknesses in terms of attack, which is why I've started to appreciate Alonso this season. Under Mourinho he and Khedira just couldn't control any midfield, which is why I don't think he was as effective. However we've found the perfect combination with Modric and Alonso.

In terms of who would replace him, it has to be between Khedira and Illarra. Khedira lacks match fitness however, so it might be a bit overwhelming.

He'll be replaced by Illaramendi or Khedira. So I'm gonna say he's going to be missed a lot since the other two are terrible scrubs.

Alonso my favorite Madridista It was a very idiotic challenge tbh

I don't know about Real Madird but I will miss him a lot   

Illarra can fill his role perfectly tbh, it's not that big of a loss though, they're both great players. Hope Khedira doesn't play though, is he even ready?

Well if we make it to the final, we won't have Matic. So there's that.

EarlyPrototype wrote:

Guiltybystander wrote:I am so bummed. Admittedly, I have always been a big fanboy (as many know), but he is clearly a very important beacon for the team.

Madrid also doesn't have a clear direct replacement (Khedira or Illara come to mind, or a whole new strategy altogether).

So unnecessary.

Depends on who we play. Could be a blessing in disguise if we play Atletico. He can't handle the pressure they put on him.

This. The only thing Atleti know is to press Alonso and they somehow always get the worst out of him so playing without him against thrm will be a blessing in disguise. Imagine Simeone clueless on how to stop us because his only target is suspended

Chelsea on the other hand sit deep so we could have used his long range passing ability to switch wings quickly during the game but knowing Mou he probably would've deployed the same tactics as Atleti seeing how thats how teams stopped us last season

I don't understand people worrying about Illarra, he is not a kid and was bought to replace Alonso. Granted he had a game to forget against Dortmund but last time he was thrown into the deep end (against Barca) he did an excellent job. I have no doubts at all he will be able adequately replace Alonso. We are sorely going to miss Alonso's leadership though because without him there is noone to tell Ramos to stop bring reckless for ex or reminding Pepe/Ramos to mark their players during set pieces and corners but knowing the occasions the players must be really motivated regardless

yeah people are taking the bvb game too far imo, illarra had a bad game but so did the team, he is a pretty good player and the team is more settled now, so he can play a bit more relaxed and knowing what his role will be, as far as defensive contributions goes illarra>xabi imo, he tackles better and recovers faster, its what he does in possession that raises question mark but that more with him not being settled kinda like how modric was.