Despite sitting at the summit of the 2025-26 LaLiga EA Sports table, a defeat away to Liverpool in the Champions and a sterile 0-0 draw away to Rayo Vallecano has seen many Spanish outlets begin to question Xabi Alonso.
The Basque coach has been accused of waiting too long to make attacking substitutions or in-game tactical adjustments, particularly when the team was chasing a goal against Liverpool and Rayo Vallecano. This is seen as a flaw similar to his predecessor, Carlo Ancelotti.
There are murmurs that the management is not entirely satisfied with the new playing style, which is seen by some as not yet having found the “winning formula.”
It’s reported that some players feel disconnected from Alonso, believing his approach is “cold and distant” and lacking an understanding of their emotions.
Fixture run-in for 2025
The international break offers the coach to step back and analyse his opening months on the Madrid bench and plan ahead with the club set to play nine more games in 2025.
Five of the nine matches are away from home with the month of December seeing Madrid also embark on their 25/26 Copa del Rey adventure as they will play a lower league opponent mid month.
Arguably the visit of Manchester City to the Bernabeu on December 10 in the Champions League is the standout fixture of the nine games.
Namcdei
1
Ud5xsuxtozefjt
bshbz82
1
Simple, his tactics must suit his players' abilities. We all know that Madrid's style of play has always been direct and vertical with thrusting runs. Now he's determined to make radical changes, ignoring the qualities available. Stylish football is not in our DNA. We're constantly aiming for trophies regardless of performance. so either to deliver or to give way
IAmShakur
0
This coach, since his arrival to the team I never know his tactics, no starting eleven and even is individual performance that he focusing on.
Maybe it's because you're not very smart, the team presses high and also plays a mid block waiting for counters.
Diwabekt
1
And rayo tied against barca give him a chance he losed 3 and tied one anceloti losed 4 el clasicos and losed against sevila or espanyol i don't know who and lossed against arsenal 2 times and xabi won the el classico
luhakoprsu
2
This coach, since his arrival to the team I never know his tactics, no starting eleven and even is individual performance that he focusing on.
Sisabenrtu
1
PLEASE!!! Take KLOPP as your RealMadrid coach.. Go for him now or you will regret that's my opinion. THINK BIG!!!!.
Sisabenrtu
1
SINCE when ALONSO became a coach?? wait and see the consequences, he should be given someone who is experienced to lead with him. Also I wish REALMADRID to sell VINICIOUS and RODRIGO and bring in HAALAND and OLISE from B.MUNICH also sell CAMAVINGA and replace him by MC'LISTER from Liverpool. I WISH!!!!!
posackmnz
0
They dont know
Yh these Prem fans don’t about Rayo Vallecano.
posackmnz
0
all of you criticizing coach needs to understand something, vallecano isn't a soft team to beat especially for big team at their own ground
Rayo Vallecano are difficult opponents to pls against. We have beaten them since.
Cuydkmpyz
1
all of you criticizing coach needs to understand something, vallecano isn't a soft team to beat especially for big team at their own ground
They dont know
Nenadiopty
0
De play
AFerusmc6546
1
Madrid will win all the games
De play
nihkmoprsu
2
I’m tired of Alonso ball right now
Emmysomto
0
Weak Liverpool played madrid like they are good. I don't know what he is really telling Mbappe and Vinicius playing how ever he wants.
mmuax1993
1
xabi is clueless. 2 straight games RM can't score the ball even tho the teams they played are struggling and easily being beaten by every team except RM the team that should be beaten them badly
all of you criticizing coach needs to understand something, vallecano isn't a soft team to beat especially for big team at their own ground
Nenadiopty
2
Madrid will win all the games
Hocbdeklmt
0
the coach is useless
wimbdetu
1
xabi is clueless. 2 straight games RM can't score the ball even tho the teams they played are struggling and easily being beaten by every team except RM the team that should be beaten them badly