Alonso insists Real Madrid players are behind him amid reports of unrest

Xabi Alonso has no doubt that Real Madrid's players are behind him despite rumours of a dressing room rift ahead of Sunday's visit to Girona.

After Barcelona's 3-1 victory over Alaves on Saturday, Madrid are two points behind their rivals at the top of LaLiga, albeit with a game in hand.

Los Blancos have wobbled lately, playing out draws with Rayo Vallecano (0-0) and Elche (2-2) either side of the international break, though they did beat Olympiacos 4-3 in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Kylian Mbappe continuing his incredible form, scoring all four of their goals.

Reports in the Spanish media recently suggested star winger Vinicius Junior had refused to consider renewing his contract due to reservations about his role under Alonso.

Vinicius reacted angrily to being substituted on several occasions this season, but he hugged Alonso in a sign of support after the victory over Olympiacos, while Mbappe said Madrid's players must "protect" their head coach.

Speaking at Saturday's pre-match press conference, Alonso said: "I have 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 of winning everything. 

"We're together in the good times, and the not-so-good times. We have a good connection on a daily basis. 

"Despite all the rumours and what some might say, we're very solid internally."

Alonso was also asked about Trent Alexander-Arnold's struggles to adapt to life in Madrid, with the right-back only totalling 352 minutes since the end of the Club World Cup, with just five of his nine appearances this season being starts.

"We need Trent," Alonso said. "It's his first year, and an adjustment is normal. He's also demanding of himself, and we have to support him through this big change."

Girona, meanwhile, approach the game 18th in the table, though a victory would lift them out of the bottom three following Mallorca's 2-2 draw with Osasuna on Saturday.

Head coach Michel, though, is aware of the task facing his team, particularly when it comes to keeping Mbappe quiet.

"They are difficult to stop because their players are some of the best in the world, and they have the best player, the best goalscorer," he said.

"We need them not to be at their best, and we need to be, for 90 minutes, at 200% in defence and attack. We have to suffer and play a great game defensively."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Girona – Cristhian Stuani 

Stuani has scored seven goals in 16 top-flight matches against Real Madrid. Only against Getafe (nine) has he found the net more often in his career in LaLiga (also seven versus Espanyol).

Real Madrid – Jude Bellingham

Bellingham has scored four goals in just three LaLiga appearances against Girona. Against no other opponent has he netted more goals in the Spanish top flight and the Bundesliga combined (also four against Barcelona in five games).

MATCH PREDICTION – REAL MADRID WIN

Girona have lost their last four LaLiga matches against Real Madrid, failing to score in all four of those encounters – their longest goalless run against a single opponent in the competition.

Madrid, on the other hand, have scored in all 10 of their LaLiga matches against Girona, netting 27 goals in total.

Only against Arenas Club de Getxo (14) and Burgos CF (12) have they played more top-flight games while scoring in every one (also 10 versus Leganes).

After losing five consecutive home matches in LaLiga between May and September, Girona have not lost any of their last four league games at Montilivi (W2 D2). They have not gone five or more home matches without defeat in the division since May 2024 (13).

Madrid have also dropped points in two consecutive LaLiga matches for the first time this season (D2), which means Sunday's game is unlikely to be easy.

However, Los Blancos are the highest-scoring away side against Girona in the history of LaLiga (13 goals in five games), and they will be confident of more success.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Girona – 18.3%

Draw – 20.8%

Real Madrid – 60.9%