Real Madrid on Edge as Dressing Room Divides Over Xabi Alonso With Pressure Mounting After Girona Slip
Problems seem to be emerging at Real Madrid. There are rumors of disharmony within the team regarding their manager, Xabi Alonso, and the strategies he’s implemented since taking charge in Madrid.
Recent disappointing results have raised concerns and caused unease among players and staff.
The team’s most recent disappointment was a 1-1 tie with struggling Girona. They’ve failed to win their last three league matches, drawing with Rayo Vallecano and Elche as well.
This has allowed their rivals, Barcelona, to move ahead by a single point in what is shaping up to be an interesting battle for the league title.
Since their stadium, the Santiago Bernabeu, was used for an American football game in mid-November, Alonso’s team has played four consecutive matches on the road in all competitions.
They managed a narrow 4-3 win against Olympiacos in the Champions League.
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This prolonged period away from home seems to have affected their performance. “The Athletic” reports that there’s “some disagreement within the team” due to the recent poor performances and results.
While this friction hasn’t yet caused irreparable damage, as the fundamental relationships among the players remain solid.
Blame Game Begins at the Bernabeu: Who’s Responsible?
Alonso’s leadership has been questioned for a while. Last October, information surfaced suggesting that his individualized style and certain tactical philosophies weren’t well-received by a large portion of the senior squad in Madrid.
Reportedly, a discussion occurred at the Bernabeu where Alonso and his players tried to resolve any perceived problems.
Key players, including Mbappe, Valverde, and Camavinga, have tried to dismiss rumors of disagreements within the Real Madrid team.
The Athletic states that some players still have doubts about Alonso’s techniques, while others contend that he is not at fault.
One individual who sides with the latter viewpoint stated, “The manager isn’t the issue, it’s quite clear.”
Another source within the club indicated, “The problem isn’t Alonso. Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Bellingham don’t work well together; it’s impossible to create a well-rounded team with all three of them.”
Allegedly, Alonso’s communication isn’t effectively reaching the players, resulting in disorganized performances.
Other members of the coaching staff recognize the significant challenge Alonso faces in shifting the established patterns and approaches he took over from the previous manager, Ancelotti.
Overhauling these entrenched systems appears to be a long-term process, without any easy solutions.
Consequently, while the former Real Madrid player isn’t facing immediate job insecurity, sources indicate that the upcoming matches – beginning with the away game against Athletic Club on Wednesday – carry considerable weight, not only for achieving favorable outcomes but also for projecting a more positive perception of the team.
One source within the organization has admitted that the current situation seems precarious due to the team’s poor performance. The recent draw against struggling Girona is viewed as a significant setback.
This situation presents potential challenges for Alonso, who, despite only managing 25 games and achieving a strong record of 18 wins and just 3 losses, is facing scrutiny.
He was appointed back to Real Madrid after a successful spell coaching Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, culminating in an undefeated Bundesliga championship in the 2023-24 season.
However, upon his return to Spain, some influential individuals within the club expressed reservations about his methods, suggesting that success alone wasn’t sufficient to satisfy everyone.
These types of discussions are now reportedly happening within Real Madrid as well.
Alonso has ample opportunity to rectify any perceived issues this season, particularly considering he has already secured a victory against Barcelona.
He also possesses a wealth of talented players, giving him the capacity to win significant trophies.
Ultimately, the success of the team depends on whether key players such as Mbappe, Bellingham, Vinicius, and others fully embrace Alonso’s strategic direction and work collectively towards shared goals.
