Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso appeared at the press conference at King Abdullah Stadium following the 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.

The coach said: "There are mixed feelings. On one hand, disappointment for not being able to win the final, but on the other hand, pride because the team gave their best effort from the first minute to the last. Despite the difficult circumstances, we competed and tried until the very end. The final was very balanced, with different phases and conditions, and varied goals and reactions. We tried until the end and came very close, with the last two chances to equalize and take it to a penalty shootout."

He added: "The team competed strongly. We are not satisfied with the result, but we can take some positives from it. We have a long season ahead, and we need to make changes as quickly as possible. When we get to Madrid, we will forget about this Super Cup and focus on all the competitions awaiting us, and on getting our players back, which is the most important thing right now."

He added: "The team showed great fighting spirit and commitment. There were moments when we needed defensive solidity without the ball and confidence in our style of play. In the first 30 minutes, we barely conceded any goals and launched two good counterattacks. We conceded the first goal due to a passing error, and a lot happened in the last 15 minutes of the first half. The second half was balanced and competitive. We conceded the go-ahead goal to make it 3-2 from a rebound, and I was confident we would get chances to equalize, which we did, but we lacked the final touch to force the opponent into a penalty shootout."

He emphasized: "We had our opportunities. Injuries are a significant factor; Fidi had to leave due to injury. Housen put in a great effort and reached where he did... It wasn't about fitness, but about injuries that hinder our ability to manage playing time and maintain stability. Some players are making tremendous efforts, and that is clear."

About Vinicius: "He played excellently until the 85th minute. He had a significant impact, but he couldn't finish the match due to the humidity and cramps he was experiencing. He asked to be substituted. He delivered an outstanding performance. He was a decisive player, and his goal was amazing. He was a real threat."

And he concluded about Mbappé: "He was scheduled to enter the field before we conceded the goal that made it 3-2. There were 15 or 20 minutes left, and we wanted to use him to disrupt the balance, threaten the opponent, and connect play between the lines or in the open spaces. We aimed to press the opponent during those fifteen or twenty minutes through substitutions and injecting fresh energy. He wasn't ready to start in a match of such intensity, and it was better to use him to make an impact. That was the idea, and that's what we decided."