As the 2024/2025 season unfolds, Real Madrid supporters are eagerly anticipating the potential of Xabi Alonso stepping in for Carlo Ancelotti. While Ancelotti’s contributions to the team, including three Champions League titles in 2014, 2022, and 2024, are widely respected, there is a strong desire within the club for a fresh direction. Alonso is aiming to energize the team since taking charge ahead of the Club World Cup last June, effectively reshuffling the squad dynamics.
Kylian Mbappé has emerged as the team’s clear leader, with Arda Güler solidifying his place in midfield. Brazilian players Vinicius Junior and Endrick have faced challenges, with Vinicius’s starting position under threat due to the coach’s tactical choices. Endrick, yet to make an appearance, may be headed for a loan to Lyon without a buy option. Meanwhile, Rodrygo is also considering a move away this winter. On the surface, Real Madrid under Alonso might not seem compelling, but the results speak volumes. In La Liga, they sit at the top with 10 wins, 1 draw, and only 1 loss, recently claiming victory in El Clasico after four losses last season. Their Champions League performance has also been decent, with 3 wins and 1 loss in 4 matches, placing them seventh in the standings.
Next Match on December 10
However, Alonso is not universally popular in the locker room. While local reports suggest Florentino Pérez fully supports him, several star players are growing frustrated. Alonso has faced criticism for trying to control everything, leading to lengthy video sessions and struggling with prominent personalities. His clash with Vinicius Jr. during El Clasico exemplifies this tension. Additionally, five players—Andriy Lunin, Gonzalo Garcia, Fran Garcia, Endrick, and Dani Ceballos—are reportedly disappointed with their situation, which isn’t surprising, as they are all substitutes. Some believe Alonso needs to manage the dissatisfaction of stars who are uncomfortable with changes, but a concerning pattern has emerged this season.
Except for El Clasico, whenever Real Madrid encountered a significant challenge, they faltered dramatically, as seen in their derby defeat to Atlético (2-5) and the loss to Liverpool in the Champions League (0-2). The struggles in these matches have been attributed to Alonso’s coaching decisions, while the defeat at Anfield highlighted a lackluster team unable to cope—except for a standout moment from Mbappé. It raises questions: Is this Real Madrid strong against weaker teams but vulnerable against formidable opponents? Recently, El Chiringuito reported that the club’s patience with Alonso could be wearing thin. They stated that Alonso has until the Champions League match against Manchester City on December 10 to turn things around. Over the next six matches against Elche, Olympiacos, Girona, Athletic, Celta, and Manchester City, he must deliver. “Very little patience. The upper management is starting to doubt this situation. Xabi Alonso has until the Manchester City match, on December 10. There will not be patience.” This news adds intense pressure on Xabi Alonso as he navigates the challenges ahead.
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