Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid’s coach, has dismissed the “rumors” about alleged internal tensions within the team, assuring that the locker room remains “solid” after returning to the path of victory this week.
Madrid achieved a 4-3 victory against Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday, ending a three-match winless streak that had generated speculation about Alonso’s position and alleged problems between the coach and key players.
Despite the pressure, Real Madrid arrived at this weekend’s LaLiga matches, visiting Girona on Sunday, as leader of the table.
I have always felt that the team is united and that we all know what the goal is: to reach the end [of the season] with options to win everything.
Xabi Alonso
In a press conference on Saturday, Alonso stated: “We are together in good times and not so good times. We have a good connection on a daily basis. Despite all the rumors and what some may say, we are very solid internally.”Xabi Alonso, director técnico del Real Madrid, lidera LaLiga.Real Madrid, although it started the season with good results, experienced a slump in November, with defeats against Liverpool and draws against Rayo Vallecano and Elche, which fueled speculation about possible internal problems.
After the match against Olympiacos, the star striker, Kylian Mbappé, stated that the players needed to “protect” Alonso, while Vinícius Júnior embraced the coach on the field after the final whistle.
“We’ve had good times,” Alonso said on Saturday. “We need that dominance, control, continuity, and consistency. We have been improving, especially in defense. I am not happy with some things, especially with the goals we have conceded in the last few games. We are still in the process of improvement.”
Alonso confirmed that central defenders Antonio Rüdiger and Éder Militão would return to the team for the match against Girona, while Raúl Asencio was doubtful and Dean Huijsen could be available for the match against Athletic Club on December 3.
Furthermore, Alonso praised Jude Bellingham, highlighting his “desire to learn and be more efficient”, and defended Trent Alexander-Arnold’s contribution so far.
“We need Trent,” Alonso affirmed. “It’s his first year and an adaptation is normal. He is also demanding of himself and we have to support him in this big change.”
