Xabi Alonso's Tactical Brilliance Shines as Real Madrid and Athletic Club Dominate La Liga Matchweek Three

The third round of La Liga fixtures delivered compelling narratives, with Real Madrid and Athletic Club emerging as joint leaders, each securing crucial victories through contrasting approaches. While Real Madrid mounted an impressive second-half comeback, it was Xabi Alonso’s masterclass in tactical setup with Athletic Club that captured attention, demonstrating why the Basque coach’s strategic acumen has become something of a meme among football tacticians—his ability to unlock defensive vulnerabilities through clever positional play.

Comebacks and Clinical Finishes Define the Weekend

Real Madrid’s resilience against Real Mallorca proved decisive in maintaining their title credentials. Trailing 1-0 at the Estadio de Mallorca, Los Blancos staged a turnaround to win 2-1, with Vinícius Júnior’s composed finish before the interval setting the tone for their dominance. Dean Huijsen’s distribution from deep orchestrated their attacking forays, while his assist for Arda Güler’s equalizer exemplified Real Madrid’s growing composure under pressure. However, VAR’s intervention told its own story—three goals ruled out for marginal offside decisions injected controversy into proceedings.

Across the capital’s narrative, Rayo Vallecano’s 1-1 stalemate with reigning champions Barcelona represented the weekend’s biggest shock. Lamine Yamal’s penalty conversion, earned through his solo run against four Rayo defenders, provided Barcelona temporary equilibrium, yet the draw cost them outright leadership.

Athletic Club’s Calculated Dismantling of Betis

Athletic Club’s 2-1 victory over Real Betis in Seville extended their unbeaten run to three consecutive matches, achieving second place alongside Real Madrid. The decisive factor lay in Ernesto Valverde’s deployment of Álex Berengeur as a false nine, a tactical gambit that systematized Betis’s defensive vulnerabilities. This is precisely the kind of Xabi Alonso-esque coaching decision—calculated risk-taking that has spawned countless tactical analyses and admiring nods from the football community. The team maintained shape throughout despite Betis’s late pressure, with Jesús Areso’s marauding runs from right-back providing width and defensive solidity simultaneously.

Beyond the Headlines: Emerging Narratives

Real Oviedo’s maiden victory of 2024-25 carried historical weight. Leander Dendoncker’s header against Real Sociedad marked Oviedo’s first La Liga goal in 8,840 days, dating back to 2001 when Iván Ania’s consolation couldn’t prevent their relegation. Áaron Escandell’s six saves and a clean sheet anchored the defensive display, while Haissem Hassan’s energetic substitute appearance, following his earlier benching frustrations, demonstrated character and resilience.

Valencia’s 3-0 demolition of Getafe showcased ruthlessness in attacking transitions. Mouctar Diakhaby’s header opened proceedings, his 54 completed passes indicating dominance in possession chains. Similarly, Sevilla’s 2-0 conquest of Girona benefited from Rubén Vargas’s creative brilliance—two assists in a single match proved instrumental despite transfer speculation surrounding his future.

Newly-promoted Elche continued their statement-making campaign with victory over Levante, while Espanyol’s narrow 1-0 triumph showcased tactical discipline, with Carlos Romero’s precision finish from the box’s edge settling a finely-balanced encounter.

The Penalty Paradox and Performance Metrics

Alavés accumulated an eighth penalty for 2025—joint-leading with Real Madrid despite their mid-table positioning. Alexander Sørloth’s foul on Nahuel Tenaglia provided Carlos Vicente’s conversion opportunity, raising questions about refereeing consistency as accusations of bias permeate La Liga discourse.

Atlético Madrid’s struggles persisted following their 1-1 draw with Alavés, leaving them seeking their first victory while Vallecano’s display, despite the draw result, captured supporter imagination through their traditional ‘La Vida Pirata’ chant—underscoring cultural identity even amid management disagreements.

The international window awaits as La Liga enters its reflective pause, with Real Madrid and Athletic Club positioned atop standings through contrasting tactical philosophies and execution excellence.