Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid: Are the Wolves Really at the Door?

Real Madrid sits atop La Liga and eyes Champions League progress. Ordinarily, manager Xabi Alonso would be secure. Yet, this is Real Madrid. Politics and pressure reign supreme. Whispers already question his position. Job loss imminent? No. But the pack circles, encouraged from within.

A recent draw against Elche exposed vulnerabilities. Madrid twice trailed to former youth players and needed a late, controversial goal to salvage a point. This result stoked media fires, fueled by winless matches and Barcelona’s proximity.
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Some label Alonso’s approach stubbornly optimistic. He emphasizes progress and fighting spirit. Fair enough. However, digging deeper reveals valid concerns. The prevailing narrative is a “disconnect” between Alonso and his players. Critics claim he fails to translate his vision.

Take Tomás Roncero, a Madrid fanatic with insider access. He rates his concern a “four” out of ten. He questions Alonso’s connection with the team, citing listless performances. Roncero warns that repeats in upcoming matches would escalate his concern drastically.

The Madrid media echoes this sentiment. “Madrid are suffering!” screams one headline. Another: “Alonso’s starting to lose control!” This widespread criticism suggests orchestrated pressure, possibly originating from the club, players’ agents, or powerful figures. It’s hard to imagine such consistent negativity arising independently.
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The elephant in the room? Alonso’s relationship with Vinícius Júnior. The Brazilian reacted furiously to a substitution against Barcelona. Subsequently, a prominent journalist declared renewing Vinícius’ contract “an absolute must.” This sends a clear message: prioritize the star. Alonso then benched Vinícius against Elche, raising eyebrows despite potential tactical reasons.

It’s true, Alonso is smart. He likely has sound coaching reasons. Yet, benching a key player invites scrutiny. Especially when a win eludes the team. This move risks being interpreted as defiance, fueling existing doubts.

Alonso opted for tactical adjustments against Elche. He utilized a back three with wingbacks. This speaks to tactical flexibility. Despite this shift, the disconnection narrative persists. The implication? Alonso’s tactical choices aren’t resonating.

Having followed the club for years, I sense familiar patterns. Insufficient preseason training burdens the squad. Alonso’s Leverkusen success breeds inflated expectations. He achieved a historic double-winning season with Bayer Leverkusen, so people anticipated similar dominance instantly.

Alonso isn’t overtly concerned with media relations. He prioritizes respect for his work. This can be a double-edged sword. The absence of a dedicated media lobby could expose him.

Real Madrid’s history under Florentino Pérez is littered with short-tenured managers. This underscores the volatile environment. Even so, Alonso’s position feels different. The idea of him facing immediate threat seems absurd.

The solution? Winning. Plain and simple. Securing victory in the next match would quell the rising anxieties. It’s a simple formula in a complex environment.

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Keywords: Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid, La Liga, Champions League, Vincius Jnior, Florentino Prez, manager pressure, job security