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<p>Recent performance: 2 wins out of the last 8 games</p>
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<img alt="Xabi Alonso" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/galerie/real-madrid-manager-xabi-alonso-1765405162-184902.jpg" title="Xabi Alonso is struggling at Real Madrid" />
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<p><span>©IMAGO</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr">On a night filled with global attention, Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid faltered once more, sparking widespread speculation that the Spanish head coach's position may be at risk. After taking the lead in the 28th minute through Rodrygo, Madrid ultimately succumbed to Manchester City in their Champions League match, losing 2-1 due to goals from Nico O'Reilly and Erling Haaland before half-time. Amidst boos and discontent from the home crowd, Los Blancos managed little in the second half to reverse their fortunes and potentially salvage Alonso's job.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">Unfortunately, this type of performance has been a recurring theme during Alonso's first 27 matches in charge of Europe's most successful club. The defeat against Man City followed a surprising loss to Celta Vigo in La Liga and a disappointing 1-1 draw with relegation-threatened Girona. Overall, Alonso's side has secured only two victories in their last eight matches across all competitions. Consequently, the team has dropped from a two-point lead over Barcelona after six league games to now trailing their historic rivals by four points, casting doubt on their ability to compete for this season's Champions League title.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">With questions lingering about Alonso's long-term viability as Carlo Ancelotti's successor, we spoke with Iván Fuente, LaLiga content manager at <em>Transfermarkt</em>, to gain insight into Alonso's shaky start with "Los Blancos."</p>
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<h2 dir="ltr">Assessing Alonso's First 25 Matches at Real Madrid</h2>
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<p dir="ltr">“The statistics suggest he's performing well, but doing well isn't always sufficient at Real Madrid,” said Fuente regarding the atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabéu. “The team is currently second in La Liga, among the top eight in the Champions League, yet there's an underlying sense of negativity at the club. There's unrest in the dressing room, as expectations for better play compared to Ancelotti's tenure remain unmet. Recent performances reveal that Madrid is overly reliant on Thibaut Courtois and Kylian Mbappé, similar to the issues faced under Ancelotti.” Fuente points out that Alonso has yet to find an effective formation and tactic that optimizes the squad's potential.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">According to the LaLiga expert, “Madrid cannot elevate its performance without a strong midfield.” He believes Alonso may be uncertain about his tactical approach. Although he appears to prefer a 4-2-3-1 setup, he lacks a creative midfielder. Jude Bellingham is not a playmaker, Arda Güler is not suited for that role, and Dani Ceballos is currently not in form. Alonso also has too many box-to-box players like Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga to choose from, but his players might feel more comfortable in a 4-3-3 formation, which requires a dynamic, creative midfielder. Unfortunately, Güler does not possess the stamina for this role, and Bellingham and Valverde lack the necessary creativity—aside from a potentially fit Ceballos.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">Despite these challenges, Alonso’s average points per game stands impressive at 2.26, surpassing Ancelotti's 2.25 and Zidane's 2.04 during their respective tenures. Notably, this is the best record for any Real Madrid manager since Ancelotti's initial spell, in which he averaged 2.36 points per game from 2013 to 2015. However, this statistical success hasn't garnered fan satisfaction.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">“I believe Real Madrid fans have become more demanding than they were before the successes achieved under Zidane and Ancelotti,” Fuente observed. “For example, Ancelotti's first two losses came against Atlético and Barcelona. If Alonso had been defeated in an El Clásico, the backlash would have been much stronger than what Zidane or Ancelotti faced initially.” While Alonso managed to defeat Barcelona in October, the heavy 5-2 loss to Atlético and subsequent draws mean they currently sit second in the league, exacerbating the pressure on him.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">Reports indicate that Alonso's tactical alterations have frustrated key players, including Valverde and Bellingham, while others like Rodrygo and Endrick appear sidelined, possibly heading out in January. The primary concern remains Vinicius Jr., who has reportedly lost the preferential treatment he once enjoyed under Ancelotti. The Brazilian forward has been substituted or benched in nine of Madrid’s first 14 league matches, often leaving the pitch visibly frustrated—a situation Alonso has struggled to navigate. Fuente remarked, “He is certainly facing challenges. Players expressing their support for Alonso indicates that there are problems. Vinicius' embrace with him seemed more performative. Valverde and Bellingham are also unhappy with their roles. If inconsistent results persist, the division in the dressing room is likely to worsen.”</p>
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