Xabi Alonso Hits Rock Bottom: Navigating Tough Times

On paper, Real Madrid seems to be having a solid season. The team leads La Liga with a 5-point advantage over FC Barcelona and is well-placed in the Champions League, holding the seventh position. However, the performance under coach Xabi Alonso has left some fans feeling uneasy. Recently, the team suffered only its second defeat of the season against Liverpool, raising concerns among Madrid supporters about the quality of play.

This trend of unease has been evident even in the matches they win, as the style of play promised by Xabi Alonso has not been fully realized. Additionally, reports of tensions in the locker room between key players and the former midfielder suggest challenges in his management approach. The situation regarding Vinicius Jr. has also attracted significant attention.

Alonso, Very Concerned

Spanish media indicate that Xabi Alonso appears quite worried. Initially upbeat and enthusiastic, he now presents a different demeanor during press conferences, offering short and cold responses that suggest discomfort. This change in attitude has been noted by outlets like Cadena SER and journalist Tomas Roncero.

This sentiment is echoed by other media, highlighting a complicated internal situation. Alongside issues with egos in the locker room, Alonso faces pure sporting challenges, especially in midfield, where he struggles to decide on the appropriate players for important matches to avoid being overrun. The upcoming match against Rayo Vallecano this afternoon (16:15 IST) presents an opportunity to experiment with new tactics and line-ups, and more importantly, to quell some doubts after the defeat at Anfield.