Real Madrid fans think Xabi Alonso has no excuses after seeing Atletico XI

Real Madrid face Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final and the teams have been announced for the huge clash in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Xabi Alonso goes unchanged from the side that beat Real Betis 5-1 last weekend.

There were doubts over Antonio Rudiger amid the German dealing with a knee issue but he is available and starts in the Madrid derby. As does Gonzalo Garcia who will lead the line again after hitting a hat-trick last time out.

Atleti's team has also been confirmed, and it's a lineup that has Madridistas suggesting Alonso must win. But when the two sides met earlier this season it was Diego Simeone whose men earned bragging rights with a 5-2 win at the Metropolitano.

Real Madrid fans bullish over Atleti team

Simeone's XI is one that can got at and this is certainly the verdict of Madrid fans. They feel Gonzalo could wreak havoc against David Hancko and Marc Pubill.

Conor Gallagher starting in midfield is also an intriguing choice given the former Chelsea midfielder has endured a difficult campaign. The midfield battle will be important tonight and Alonso is sticking with Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga.

One fan feels Atleti's team is beatable and thus Alonso will have no excuse if his side lose:

"Sack xabi if he loses to this team."

Another echoed this:

"Lmao if we allow this squad to even shoot a ball into our net, I'll ask Xabi Alonso to be sacked. We need to use our anger to seek revenge for all the games we've lost to them and beat them tonight."

One supporter wrote:

"Xabi has no excuse."

One fan was extremely confident:

"There’s no way we lose to this mid."

Another warned Marcos Llorente that Vinicius Junior will get the better of him:

"Llorente at RB. Vini will make him kiss the grass."

One responded:

"Xabi has to go if we lose to this again idc."

Alonso is under pressure heading into tonight's semi-final amid suggestions that the Supercopa is his final test as Madrid manager. His side are trailing Barcelona in the La Liga title race and sit seventh in the Champions League table.

David Villa hypes up Gonzalo Garcia

Gonzalo might be the one to watch tonight given his terrific display in the win against Betis. He scored a perfect hat-trick and his overall play was extremely impressive.

Atleti legend David Villa is a fan of the Spanish youngster and feels he is more than just a traditional number nine (via Madrid Xtra):

"Gonzalo Garcia has proven he’s both a classic 9 and a striker with more mobility. Maybe he doesn’t look like a very tall striker, or a pure #9 like Haaland or Llorente, but he handles himself very well in the box, creates a lot of space, and finishes well."

He added:


"He’s also very mobile. I think he’s a very good striker and that he’s going to do great things for Spanish football."

Gonzalo is filling in for the injured Kylian Mbappe who has remained at home for the Supercopa to recover from a left knee sprain. But his understudy has proven his worth and will look to do again tonight.