Xabi Alonso compares Real Madrid midfielder to Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard after FIFA Club World Cup win over Pachuca - 'He can play anywhere'
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Updated 23/06/2025 at 13:43 GMT+1
Xabi Alonso was Steven Gerrard's team-mate for five seasons at Liverpool and noticed similarities between the England icon and one of his new midfielders. Real Madrid took one step closer to the knockout rounds at the FIFA Club World Cup, beating Mexican outfit Pachuca 3-1, despite going down to 10 men in the seventh minute when Raul Asencio was shown a red card for bringing down Salomon Rondon.
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Video credit: SNTV
Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso had high praise for Federico Valverde after his side defeated Pachuca despite playing with 10 men for 88 minutes.
Raul Asencio's seventh-minute red card looked like it could prove a costly blow to Madrid, who had drawn their opening FIFA Club World Cup match with Al Hilal.
Valverde saw his late penalty saved by Yassine Bounou that day, but played the full 95 minutes and scored his side's third as Real Madrid beat Pachuca 3-1 in Charlotte.
And Alonso, who spent five seasons at Liverpool from 2004 to 2009, compared the Uruguayan to former team-mate and captain Steven Gerrard.
"I haven't seen many players with his physical ability," said Alonso in his post-match press conference. "He reminds me of Steven Gerrard. He can play anywhere and I'm very happy to be coaching him.
"Every coach would like to have a Valverde in their team. He made up for the penalty the other day and showed his fighting spirit in the celebration."
Valverde, who wore the No. 8 shirt and the captain's armband against the Liga MX outfit, was initially tasked with a role on the wing, but was forced into a central midfield position after Asencio's sending off.
And Alonso was particularly impressed with the "discipline and sacrifice" his team showed to defend in a low block and still muster a 3-0 lead.
"The team showed discipline and sacrifice, knowing how to control the game without the ball. We knew that if we recovered it, we could get out and that's how the goals came," said Alonso.
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"Going 3-0 up was important so that we didn't have to push too hard if we conceded, as happened afterwards.
"We had to defend with a player less in a low block and you have to know how to suffer and have the humility to find the right moment. The defensive line held the area well and we had good periods of possession.
"We weren't able to show what we've been working on. We had to adapt to the game by staying balanced and maintaining possession so that the players felt comfortable."
While Alonso will not be able to count on Asencio for their final group game against RB Salzburg, who are level on points with the Spanish giants, there may be a welcome return for Kylian Mbappe.
"I'm looking forward to having him back, but we have to see how he progresses day by day. We have to wait. Now we're going back to Florida and we'll see how he is. We're waiting for him."
And the head coach also had a word for the "legendary" Luka Modric, who received an uproarious reception from the Charlotte crowd when he came on for Arda Guler in the 60th minute and who will leave the club after the tournament.
He explained: "It's emotional. He deserves it for the person he is, and I hope he enjoys the affection he receives from all football fans around the world. Everyone recognises his legendary status in football. He went out there today and played a great game."
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