Xabi Alonso has a lot of work to do. Real Madrid were woeful against neighbouring rivals Atlético Madrid, and there were a lot of factors that made them play the way they played.
The biggest one, though, was all mental. It looked like the team just did not want to be there. They did not want to play, and they did not want to get used to the fact that they were playing a game with a lot of value, both psychologically and otherwise.
However, they will inevitably learn from the defeat, and improve as a team. Alonso is still a young coach, and he will also improve tactically.
There are a few things he needs to change to win against Kairat Almaty, though. It is not the same level of opponents they just lost to, but it is something worth keeping an eye on. They need to improve after every game, starting with this one.
Alonso needs to bring back the intensity and hunger in this Real Madrid side
The biggest thing Alonso needs to do is to encourage the team to play the way their fans deserve to see their team play. Against Atlético, it was lethargic, U-shaped football that did not lead to any chances created apart from the two goals.
Alonso said at the start of his Real Madrid tenure that he wants the fans to be proud of the team they watch, and that comes with intensity and passion. A lot of it. Real Madrid needs to improve on every single front.
Alonso needs to show faith in Güler in big moments
Another thing that he needs to change is his trust in Arda Güler. Güler was surprisingly subbed off in the second half despite being Real Madrid's best player, and he really needs to be given the keys to Real Madrid's offense, especially in big games, if Alonso wants his team to win.
After Güler left, there were no attacks being created, no passes into the feet of Kylian Mbappe and Vinícius Júnior. No incisiveness. That needs to change.
Finally, Alonso needs to figure out what is wrong with Fede Valverde
Alonso also needs to do his best to figure out what can be done with Fede Valverde. The player himself agreed to the fact that he has not been the same this season, and there is work to be done to get back to his best level.
For that to happen, Alonso will have to dig deep and figure out what is wrong. If it is exhaustion physically, then he needs to bench him for a few weeks and try out Raúl Asencio or an academy player at right-back.
If there is some other reason, the manager needs to investigate, too. Valverde is one of the most crucial players on this team, and he needs to play better if the entire team wants to play better.