The Merengue team is going through a difficult moment after the last poor results, but we have to look for culprits outside manager Xabi Alonso as well.
Xabi Alonso is once again at the centre of the debate after the last Real Madrid games, marked by unexpected defeats, poor performances and a feeling that the project has lost stability. The criticism focuses on the manager, but a deeper analysis reveals structural flaws and a dressing room where key players have sunk to an alarming level.
Unfortunately for Real Madrid, this was also evident in yesterday’s Champions League meeting at home against Manchester City.
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Real Madrid’s crisis and Xabi Alonso’s role
The message from Xabi Alonso does not resonate as it should, and the team reflects this on the pitch, with constant breaks and a lack of leadership in moments of maximum pressure. The squad is not keeping up with the coach’s pace, which is exacerbating the pressure on him and on the board led by Florentino Pérez, who is now forced to consider significant decisions to rectify the season.
Vinicius’ case is one of the most visible, as his performance is far from what he delivered in previous seasons, and his frustration expressions on substitutions hurt the internal dynamics. The Brazilian has lost his spark, unpredictability and clear-sightedness, and his role in the dressing room is no longer so undisputed.
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For Xabi Alonso, getting the winger back on top must be an absolute priority, although the coach also observes that the low performance extends to vulnerable areas of the team. Rüdiger is going through a noticeable decline and his continuity is not guaranteed, especially after serious mistakes in crucial matches, casting doubt on his renewal.
In the case of Alaba, the situation is even more delicate. Constant injuries, his high salary and lack of continuity make his stay a structural problem for the club, as his role as chief of defence has faded over time. Brahim is also struggling to establish himself in the coach’s plans, and his inconsistency places him on a list of potential departures from the summer, a situation similar to Ferland Mendy, whose departure could even happen in January due to a lack of confidence from the sporting management.
On the other hand, the bet on Alexander-Arnold has proved unsuccessful, as the full-back has shown vulnerabilities in defence, and his adaptation has been much slower than expected. This situation paves the way for a deep restructuring of the right wing, where the team still lacks competitive guarantees.
Internal pressure is increasing
The analysis of the technical management agrees on one point: the project requires quick adjustments. The team manager aspect of Xabi Alonso, once a strong point in earlier phases, is now under maximum pressure. The requirement at Real Madrid does not allow an extension of a crisis that threatens to compromise the goals of the season, necessitating firm decisions.
Florentino Pérez’s role appears crucial in this context, as he must decide whether to maintain confidence in the coach, push for a deep renewal of the squad, or take drastic measures to stop the sporting deterioration. Meanwhile, the coach is facing the most demanding moment of his career on the bench and knows that the club needs immediate answers and a turnaround to revitalize the dressing room.
If Real Madrid want to regain dominance in Europe, it is crucial that this locker room clean-up takes place to avoid further problems and bring in better players who can contribute their title hunger to the merengue team. At the moment, the white dressing room is a hot potato, and no matter how much they change coaches, that won’t change, so the focus has to start there.
