5 matches that defined Xabi Alonso’s career

#3 21 April 2012 - Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

Alonso was tasked with keeping a keen eye on Messi

Real Madrid’s league title triumph in the 2011-2012 season under Jose Mourinho remains the last time they won La Liga. And the decisive blow was struck in April 2012, with a 2-1 win away to Barcelona in El Clasico.

Madrid had failed to beat Barcelona in normal time in any of their previous 14 encounters and were just a season removed from a humiliating 5-0 defeat at the Camp Nou.

But this was the match in which they took on Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Barcelona toe-for-toe, with Alonso playing a key role in midfield. He kept close tabs on Lionel Messi and initiated Madrid’s counter-attacks with high-quality distribution from deep.

A 73rd-minute winner from Cristiano Ronaldo saw Madrid take the victory and the title.

“We controlled the match perfectly,” Alonso said afterwards. “It was a great performance, a fantastic result and I am very happy.”