Xabi Alonso Addresses Team Unity Amid Speculation
Xabi Alonso, the manager of Real Madrid, has firmly rejected talk of discontent within the team’s locker room, asserting that the squad remains “solid” following their recent return to form in the Champions League. This resurgence came after a challenging stretch, during which the team failed to secure a win in three consecutive matches, generating scrutiny surrounding Alonso’s relationship with core players.
Real Madrid stopped the slide with a thrilling 4-3 victory against Olympiacos midweek, boosting morale ahead of their upcoming La Liga clash against Girona. Despite these recent struggles, Madrid maintains their position at the top of the league standings.
Alonso Emphasizes Team Unity
In a press conference prior to the Sunday match, Alonso emphasized the unity of the team, stating,
“I’ve always felt that the team is united, and that we all know what the objective is: to reach the end [of the season] with a chance to win everything. We’re together in both the good and the challenging times. Internally, we are very solid despite the noise surrounding us.”
The team started the season strong, but their form dipped in November when they suffered a defeat against Liverpool and drew matches with Rayo Vallecano and Elche, prompting speculation about potential internal conflicts. After the Olympiacos match, Kylian Mbappé, one of the team’s star players, highlighted the need for the squad to defend Alonso amid these swirling rumors. Additionally, Vinícius Júnior was seen offering an emotional display of support for the coach post-game, showcasing team solidarity.
Focus on Improvement and Upcoming Matches
Alonso acknowledged the need for further improvement, particularly defensively, mentioning,
“We need dominance, control, continuity, and consistency. We’ve been improving, especially on the defensive end, but I’m not satisfied with some of our recent defensive lapses. We are still evolving as a team.”
Looking ahead, Alonso confirmed the return of defenders Antonio Rüdiger and Éder Militão for the upcoming match against Girona, though there is uncertainty surrounding Raúl Asencio’s availability, and Dean Huijsen may be ready for the following encounter against Athletic Club on December 3. In his remarks, Alonso also commended Jude Bellingham for his hunger to learn and perform better while extending his support to Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is adjusting to life with Madrid.
“We need Trent; it’s his first year, and adapting takes time,”
Alonso said.
“He is hard on himself, and we must provide him with the necessary support during this significant transition.”
