At Real Madrid, the results under coach Xabi Alonso are positive. However, internally, the pressure on the Spaniard is immense. Some players are said to be frustrated and dissatisfied.
It was the first edition of the most prestigious match in Spanish football under the leadership of Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid. With a 2-1 victory, the Royals won the Clásico against FC Barcelona. Following the 1-0 success against Juventus Turin, it was further proof that Real can also win big games this year.
Despite five consecutive wins recently, Alonso is facing enormous pressure. As a report by The Athletic now suggests, “a feeling of frustration has spread in the Madrid dressing room. Many experienced players felt disrespected and dissatisfied.” This was reported by several sources close to the team.
Vinícius (l.) caused a scandal with his substitution in the Clásico, highlighting the pressure on Xabi Alonso (r.)
One of the triggers for the dissatisfaction among parts of the team is that upon his arrival in the summer, Alonso found many “bad habits” and made drastic changes.
Fewer Freedoms? Alonso Imposes Strict Rules for Real Stars
While Alonso made it clear shortly after taking office that no real star could secure their place in the team without the right attitude, the coach is also said to have established some new rules in consultation with his players.
“Xabi has tried to bring more discipline and order to daily routines – with stricter control of schedules, more work in the weight room for injury prevention, and group and individual video analysis sessions,” a source close to the training routine is quoted as saying.
The “importance of punctuality as well as intensity and commitment in training” was also particularly emphasized by the Spaniard. Additionally, Alonso limited the number of people “allowed around the team before matches and at halftime” – whether family, friends, advisors, or “unnecessary” staff.
The measures introduced by Alonso are reportedly causing dissatisfaction among some players, as “they now have very little freedom on the pitch to showcase their individual qualities.” The highly tactical approach of the former Leverkusen coach is often compared to the much freer style of his predecessor Carlo Ancelotti. Internally, comparisons with star coach Pep Guardiola are also frequently drawn. Although not always negative, one source criticized: “He thinks he is Pep Guardiola, but at the moment, he is only Xabi.”
Flexibility, Rotation, and Youth Development: Alonso Also Knows How to Impress
“Some of them have won so much without doing all these things – and when they were imposed, they complained. This is no secret; some cases are even publicly known. It’s normal – especially among those who were previously untouchable,” noted another anonymous source.
Meanwhile, “particularly Alonso’s tactical flexibility and his rotation policy, which provides playing time for everyone,” is praised by internal sources. The same goes for his handling of young players, who are regularly integrated into the team and show clear progress. Furthermore, superstar Kylian Mbappé is in top form under Alonso, with 18 goal contributions in 13 games.
Vinícius Scandal Highlights the Pressure
How omnipresent the pressure on Alonso was also evident after the Clásico victory. After Alonso substituted superstar Vinícius Júnior, the latter caused a scandal by shouting loudly: “I’m leaving the team, it’s better if I go. I’m leaving!” The Brazilian has since expressed remorse in a statement, saying he wants to apologize to his teammates, the club, and the president.
However, as various Spanish media pointed out, he left out one name: Coach Xabi Alonso did not receive an apology from the Brazilian.