LaLiga: Xabi Alonso admits Real Madrid deserved 5-2 derby defeat to Atletico

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso admitted his side fully merited their 5-2 defeat to city rivals Atletico Madrid in Saturday’s LaLiga derby at the Metropolitano Stadium.

The league leaders had gone unbeaten this season before Diego Simeone’s men outclassed them in a fiery encounter.

“We didn’t play well as a team, or in pressing, we were not at the level that we should be,” Alonso told reporters.

“We’re in a construction phase, today was our first loss and we have to take conclusions from what happened, but there are no excuses, we’re hurting, it’s a derby and a deserved defeat.”

The Spanish coach criticised his team’s lack of fight against Atletico, who pressed high and attacked with intensity.

“We lacked that intensity… we didn’t compete well enough today, not at the level that these games need,” he added.

“We’re not happy, but we can’t forget what we were doing before, what we were doing well. We’re in a state of progress… how we react to this will be the important thing, in the next game, or when we face a strong opponent, like Atletico were today.

“We wouldn’t be smart if we’re not capable of taking the positive out of the pain that we have today.”

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