Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid’s goalkeeper, reflected on the team’s lackluster performance against Al Hilal, attributing it to the challenges of adapting to new manager Xabi Alonso’s tactics. After spending four years under Carlo Ancelotti, Courtois noted that changing deeply ingrained habits in a short span of just four days is a difficult task.

*Adjusting to New Strategies*

Courtois emphasized the need for the team to be more patient and focus on maintaining possession, rather than rushing into attacks. He highlighted the team’s efforts to learn from the experience, including watching videos and engaging in discussions to adjust to Alonso’s defensive and attacking strategies.

*Courtois’s Insightful Observations*

Having been forced to make six saves during the game, Courtois had a unique perspective on the team’s performance. He observed that the team’s struggles were largely due to their inability to adapt quickly to Alonso’s new tactics, which differ significantly from Ancelotti’s approach.

*A Steep Learning Curve*

Courtois’s comments underscore the steep learning curve that Real Madrid faces as they transition to Alonso’s management style. The team will need to work on implementing Alonso’s vision and strategies, which may take time, but Courtois’s willingness to learn and adapt is a positive sign for the team’s future prospects [1].