Real Madrid's new coach, Xabi Alonso, has managed to circumvent a historical "curse" by winning his first Clasico, a feat that had only been accomplished by Zinedine Zidane in the last sixteen years.

Real Madrid's victory over FC Barcelona on Sunday is all the more significant as it allows Xabi Alonso to emerge strengthened from an intense tactical battle against Hansi Flick, the Catalan coach. This prestigious win comes at a crucial time after a difficult start to the season against Atlético Madrid, where Real were largely outplayed, both tactically and in terms of physicality, ultimately losing to Diego Simeone at the Metropolitano.

This triumph against their Catalan rivals, a far cry from the rout against Atlético, marks a major turning point for Real Madrid. It allows them to shed the label of a team incapable of winning big matches. Furthermore, this victory gives them a five-point lead at the top of the league over Barcelona, a precious advantage in what is still a long season.

Alonso following in Zidane's footsteps

According to the newspaper Marca , this victory has strong symbolic significance: Zinedine Zidane was, until now, the only Real Madrid coach to have won his first Clasico in the last 16 years. His predecessors – Pellegrini, Mourinho, Benitez, Lopetegui, and even the first era of Ancelotti – had all failed.

This series of defeats for the new Madrid coaches clearly illustrates the "curse" that Xabi Alonso brilliantly escaped.

1. Carlo Ancelotti (first era) lost his first Clasico 2-1 at Camp Nou on October 26, 2013.
2. José Mourinho had even lost by the resounding score of 5-0 (the famous manita ) in November 2010.
3. The defeats were also heavy for Rafa Benitez (0-4 at Camp Nou) and Julen Lopetegui (5-1, also on the pitch of Barça).
4. Only Zinedine Zidane had won 2-1 at Camp Nou for his baptism of fire.

By winning his first clash against Barça, Xabi Alonso is therefore following in the footsteps of the illustrious Zidane, whose record he undoubtedly hopes to emulate, or even that of Carlo Ancelotti.