Xabi Alonso Must Prove Himself in Three Matches at Real Madrid

The situation at Real Madrid has grown tense. Whistles echo from the stands of the Santiago Bernabeu, Rodrigo offers his coach a consoling embrace, and Jude Bellingham speaks out publicly in support of the team. However, the club management maintains its traditionally rigid stance, intolerant of poor results: for 44-year-old Basque coach Xabi Alonso, every match could be his last. The 1-2 defeat against Manchester City in the Champions League looms as a decisive factor. Two consecutive home losses and just two wins in the last eight matches paint a concerning picture. Yet, the most alarming aspect is something deeper: Real appears to have lost control over their game, an occurrence not seen for a long time. This is not merely a random defeat but gives the impression of systemic and managerial breakdown. A peculiar paradox emerges: within the team, Alonso continues to receive open support. After the game, Rodrigo deliberately approached the coach on the sidelines to embrace him and later told journalists, “There are many attempts to cause problems from the outside; what we need is unity.” Bellingham expressed even stronger support: “We have an excellent coach, and our relationship is very good.” Thibaut Courtois, Marco Asensio, and even young Raul Asensio echoed this sentiment in unison: the team stands 100% behind Xabi. But such backing alone does not suffice. At Real Madrid, results are paramount. According to a report by *AS*, Alonso has been given three matches to turn things around. Any failure among these matches could seal his fate. Journalist Jose Diaz goes even further, concluding that Alonso’s departure is no longer a question of “if,” but “when.” Within the club, confidence in the Spanish specialist reversing the situation appears low. Oliver Kahn also offered a critical perspective on the matter: “Alonso's systematic, football-structured approach requires highly specialized players. Real Madrid, however, is about freedom and individuality. The players do not want to play according to rigid schemes.” The former Bayern goalkeeper has pinpointed the core issue. Xabi arrived from Bayer Leverkusen with a clear philosophy: structure over individuals, discipline over improvisation. This worked excellently in Leverkusen, but Madrid presented a different reality. Here, players like Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe are accustomed to resolving situations with individual brilliance, making positional reshuffling and strict role assignments uncomfortable for some. Andrei Arshavin addressed the matter more openly: “Alonso came with his ideas, but at Real, there are players who don't share those views. This specifically concerns Vinicius and Mbappe. Xabi must be more adaptable because, in such situations, it is the coach—not the players—who gets replaced.” The star factor at Real Madrid has always been dominant. Alonso is attempting to change this dynamic, but the result has been whistles from the Bernabeu and talks of his resignation after just six months. The injury crisis has further complicated matters. Eder Militao, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga, and David Alaba are all sidelined for extended periods. Ahead of a decisive away fixture, nearly half the squad is unavailable to contribute. Nonetheless, Alonso remains composed. When asked about the fans’ whistles, he responded, “That’s normal. If you don’t win at home, this happens.” Regarding his own future, he answered briefly, “I’m thinking about the next match. The important thing is Real Madrid, the team, the players. This is not about me.” La Liga President Javier Tebas also publicly backed the Basque coach: “Xabi has Real Madrid DNA, it’s something he’s inherited.” Rivaldo called for patience, while Jonathan Woodgate described a potential dismissal as an unexpected decision. However, all of these voices pale in comparison to one simple truth: Real Madrid does not tolerate mediocrity. Xabi Alonso built a phenomenal mechanism in Bayer Leverkusen that shook the Bundesliga. At Real Madrid, he is striving to solve a complex puzzle amidst superstars, injuries, internal politics, and immense pressure. So far, this effort has not borne fruit, and there is no time left for mistakes. Three matches lie ahead. On Sunday, Alonso faces a trial of survival against Alaves. Read “Zamin” on Telegram!