Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid Faces a Troubling Crisis as Performance Deteriorates

Real Madrid faced a disappointing defeat against Celta de Vigo, losing 0-2 in this Liga match. The game was marked by extreme tension at the Bernabéu. Just four days after a strong win against Bilbao, Xabi Alonso’s team crumbled at home, experiencing chaos with two player expulsions, booing from their own supporters, and an overall sense of losing control. This loss serves as a significant wake-up call for a team already struggling.

Under pressure from a confident Celta side, which had previously held its own against Barcelona, Real quickly showed signs of unusual nervousness. Celta’s attacks, led by Zaragoza and Durán, troubled a patched-up Madrid defense, lacking key players due to injuries, including Huijsen, Carvajal, Alaba, Mendy, and Alexander-Arnold. The situation worsened when Éder Militão had to leave the field in the 24th minute due to a hamstring injury, possibly sidelining him for three months. The Bernabéu crowd went from impatience to hostility as time passed and the team struggled to find answers.

García and Carreras: Signs of Worrying Nervousness

The emotional turning point of the match came in the second half. In just two minutes, Fran García received two yellow cards (63rd and 64th minutes); first for a harsh challenge and then for excessive dissent, leading to his dismissal. This shocked the crowd and ignited anger among the Madrid players, who lost their composure and reacted with protests while Celta played smartly and calmly.

With only ten players, Real struggled to regain their composure. The escalating tension ultimately led to their downfall. Zaragoza set up Williot Swedberg, who delivered a brilliant strike to give Celta the lead in the 53rd minute, exacerbating the nerves in Madrid. In stoppage time, Carreras was sent off as well (90th+1 and 90th+2 minutes) for excessive dissent, leaving Real with only nine players in a chaotic finish. From the bench, Endrick was also shown a red card. Moments later, Iago Aspas made a brilliant pass behind the defense, allowing Swedberg to bypass Thibaut Courtois and score again (90th+3 minutes), sealing a nightmare evening for Real.

Mbappé and Vinicius Absent, Unused Bench

In this electric atmosphere, Real Madrid also struggled to maintain clarity during crucial moments. The attacking quartet of Mbappé, Vinicius, Bellingham, and Valverde gradually fell apart. In midfield, Tchouaméni couldn’t calm the game or ease the pressure, while Güler was once again ineffective. Moreover, Xabi Alonso’s choices raised questions, particularly regarding the absence of Rodrygo and failure to utilize Camavinga during such a tense match.

This defeat leaves lasting impacts, allowing FC Barcelona to take a four-point lead in La Liga and granting Celta their first win at the Bernabéu since November 2006. The image of a Real Madrid under constant pressure and unable to control its emotions is concerning. With a ravaged defense, a tense squad, and an increasingly strained relationship with refereeing, Madrid is facing tough times ahead. To complicate matters, the team will face Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday, where any misstep could further ignite the frustrations of their supporters.