Analysis After 25 Matches
Towards the end of Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with Girona on Sunday evening, Xabi Alonso appeared dejected. As the match neared its conclusion, the cameras caught the Spanish manager reacting to a near miss from Kylian Mbappé, whose attempt had almost secured a last-minute victory but instead skimmed past the right post of Paulo Gazzaniga’s goal. Rather than celebrating a point earned in a tough match for a club currently languishing in the bottom three of LaLiga, Alonso sank to his knees, bowing his head in resignation as the Montilivi stadium erupted in celebration. It was a hard-fought point for his squad, but another frustrating outing for Alonso.
For the former Bayer Leverkusen manager, such disappointments have been frequent during his first 25 matches in charge of one of football’s most illustrious teams. With a record featuring 18 victories, four draws, and just three losses, yielding an impressive average of 2.32 points per game across all competitions, questions linger about Alonso’s capacity to become a long-term successor to Carlo Ancelotti. To delve deeper into the situation at the Spanish capital, we spoke with Iván Fuente, LaLiga content manager for Transfermarkt, who offered insights into Alonso’s shaky start with “Los Blancos.”
How Have Alonso’s First 25 Matches at Real Madrid Been?
“The statistics indicate he’s performing well, but performance alone may not suffice at Real Madrid,” Fuente remarked when discussing the atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabéu. “The team finds itself second in LaLiga and among the top eight in the Champions League, yet the mood at the club is far from positive. There is unrest within the dressing room; expectations are for Madrid to play better than they did under Ancelotti, but recent performances suggest the team relies heavily on Thibaut Courtois and Mbappé, just as they did previously.” Fuente attributes much of this to Alonso’s challenges in effectively managing the squad and identifying the right tactical approach to maximize the talents of his star players.
“A solid midfield is essential for Madrid to elevate their game,” continued the LaLiga expert. “Alonso seems uncertain about his tactical setup. While he appears to favor the 4-2-3-1 formation, he lacks a creative midfielder. Jude Bellingham isn’t a playmaker, and Arda Güler isn’t quite ready. Dani Ceballos is currently out of form and unlikely to consistently assume a leadership role. Additionally, Alonso has an abundance of box-to-box players—like Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, and Aurélien Tchouaméni—but his players might be more suited to a 4-3-3 setup. Yet, he lacks a dynamic creative midfielder capable of thriving in that formation.”
Despite Alonso’s commendable average points per game, which eclipses Ancelotti’s and Zinédine Zidane’s records during their tenures, fans have not been entirely satisfied. Alonso’s 2.32 points per game average is notably higher than Ancelotti’s 2.25 and Zidane’s 2.04 from his second term. In fact, it’s the best performance by a Real Madrid manager since Ancelotti’s first stint from 2013 to 2015, where he recorded an average of 2.36 points per game. Nevertheless, this record has not quelled fan discontent.
“I believe Real Madrid fans have become more demanding—perhaps excessively so—following the successes under Zidane and Ancelotti,” Fuente observed regarding the supporters’ sentiment. “For instance, Ancelotti’s initial defeats came against Atlético and Barcelona. If Alonso had lost his El Clásico, fan criticism would have likely been harsher than it was initially directed at Zidane or Ancelotti.” While Alonso’s team triumphed over Barcelona at home in October, they faced a humiliating 5-2 loss to Atlético during matchday seven, and recent draws have them sitting second in the league. There are also issues brewing off the field.
Reports from Spain indicate that Alonso’s tactical adjustments have frustrated key players like Valverde and Bellingham, while others like Rodrygo and Endrick seem sidelined and may depart in January. The most pressing issue appears to center on Vinicius Jr., who reportedly has lost the special treatment he received under Ancelotti. The 25-year-old has been substituted or benched in nine of Madrid’s first 14 league matches and has often shown visible frustration upon coming off. Fuente noted, “He’s undoubtedly struggling. The players’ remarks indicate their support for Xabi Alonso, but Vinicius’ embrace with him felt more performative than genuine. Valverde and Bellingham also express unhappiness with their situations. If results remain inconsistent, divisions in the dressing room could deepen.”
