Xabi Alonso is not currently concerned about Real Madrid's failure to play "rock and roll" football, with his only desire to reverse their current slide.
Madrid visit San Mames to take on Athletic Club in LaLiga on Wednesday, and they could find themselves four points off the summit by kick-off, should Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid.
Los Blancos have only won one of their last five games in all competitions, beating Olympiacos 4-3 in the Champions League.
They have drawn three successive matches in LaLiga, against Rayo Vallecano (0-0), Elche (2-2) and Girona (1-1), leading to criticism of Alonso in the Spanish media.
When Alonso took the reins at the Santiago Bernabeu in June, the former midfielder pledged to get his old club playing "rock and roll football", but right now, his focus is substance over style.
"We just play football. I'm trying to do my best," he said. "This team, these players, have always tried to give their best. There have been good games, and others were not so good.
"That's why we haven't been able to win in the last few games, because we lacked consistency in our game, but the demand is to always be able to give a higher level."
Alonso also added he had spoken to president Florentino Perez and retained the full backing of the club's hierarchy.
He said: "Yes, we have spoken again, and the conversations were very positive, in a good tone, about wanting to reverse the results. That is what we have talked about.
"We are where we are in the standings, both in LaLiga and in the Champions League. We live with the demands, as well as with the criticism.
"This is something inherent in Real Madrid and at any other football club. But we know where we are and we want to focus on what we can work on, on improving to win games and then, when April and May arrive, we hope to be playing for everything."
Athletic are eighth in LaLiga after beating Levante 2-0 last time out. Ernesto Valverde's side are four points adrift of the top six, but the head coach has a poor record against Madrid.
Valverde has lost 19 of his 29 matches against Madrid in LaLiga, winning nine and drawing four, more defeats than he has suffered against any other club in the competition.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Athletic Club – Alex Berenguer
Last Saturday, against Levante, Berenguer became the first Athletic player to provide two assists in a single LaLiga game since Yuri Berchiche did so against Real Valladolid in February earlier this year.
Berenguer has created 11 chances from set-pieces in LaLiga this campaign, with only three players recording more through the first 14 matchdays.
Real Madrid – Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe has scored 23 goals in 19 games across all competitions this season. Among players in Europe's top five leagues, only Harry Kane has more goals since the end of the Club World Cup, netting 24 times.
The France captain has netted 14 times from an expected goals (xG) tally of 12.7 in LaLiga in 2025-26, converting 20.9% of his 67 shots.
Leuemstuyz
0
we need team players not where some looses the ball and spectate that's vini and mpabe
Leuemstuyz
0
Alonso should give other players like Rodrigo, Ceballos, Endrick and Konsalo playing time they have the quality to perform at the highest level
Nenadiopty
1
bench whoever does not take instructions and get your results
Moseskhalid
1
draw or lost again is loading
pium
0
lol winning laliga won’t save him, mark my words especially if the team doesn’t improve from their recent poor form, Xabi wil have to answer for it and it won’t be good for him to get sacked , I have a feeling that this players are against him that’s why they’re playing poorly and not winning
At Madrid coach should be able to manage the players rather than tactics. Zidane was successful because he is good in that, otherwise he wasn’t a tactical coach.
Riccimrsz
2
Madrid Players need their real position to play that's the big problem and Alonso should give some players to play too what is the meaning of all these
Edooo87
1
we meet next time, Congratulations 🎉
thanks
mupcelnt
1
Another draw loaded
we meet next time, Congratulations 🎉
sunglex
0
draw or lost loading
sunglex
0
wait for your pepper from ATM tonight
Barca won reply now 🤫😢😭😂😂🤣
ZizoArmani10
0
In that season Madrid won the first classico 3-1 and Barca won 2nd which matters to keep the gap 2-1 to almost secure the league in that game. Season is long and Xabi has time. But anything less than La Liga or UCL gonna count as big failure with the super star squad Xabi has given!! Period!!!
lol winning laliga won’t save him, mark my words especially if the team doesn’t improve from their recent poor form, Xabi wil have to answer for it and it won’t be good for him to get sacked , I have a feeling that this players are against him that’s why they’re playing poorly and not winning
pium
0
lol he won you the league in his first season with lots of beating at the hands of your club owners(Real Madrid) and his second season was worse so there’s nothing to cover for him, he wasn’t as good as flick so why are you defending him, oh because Madrid owned Barcelona during Xavi tenure 😹
In that season Madrid won the first classico 3-1 and Barca won 2nd which matters to keep the gap 2-1 to almost secure the league in that game. Season is long and Xabi has time. But anything less than La Liga or UCL gonna count as big failure with the super star squad Xabi has given!! Period!!!
ZizoArmani10
0
Xavi won the league in his first full year! Took barca from 9th to 2nd after joining and won the league in first full season with arguably weakest league winning squads in La Liga. But he wasn’t a tactical mastermind and when his tactics got exposed he couldn’t find solutions to adapt which caused the issues in third season. Injuries didn’t help either. But we are so glad as we got Flick.
lol he won you the league in his first season with lots of beating at the hands of your club owners(Real Madrid) and his second season was worse so there’s nothing to cover for him, he wasn’t as good as flick so why are you defending him, oh because Madrid owned Barcelona during Xavi tenure 😹
pium
0
lol the season is not over and Xavi used 3 years at Barca compared to Alonso that just started, every Madridsta will judge him by the end of the season
Xavi won the league in his first full year! Took barca from 9th to 2nd after joining and won the league in first full season with arguably weakest league winning squads in La Liga. But he wasn’t a tactical mastermind and when his tactics got exposed he couldn’t find solutions to adapt which caused the issues in third season. Injuries didn’t help either. But we are so glad as we got Flick.
hen2020
0
In add line there do line, in ministry to educate minister ministry to education line lottery line communication ministry line uk same Union Soviet socialist republics lined china line north korea do line north america do line in doing odd out do line parliament doing do line all do line there do line .
Edooo87
1
wait for your pepper from ATM tonight
Already won
Yudbdkmoy
0
I am also a Real madrid fans , but Endrick is not good enough I swear
Muubckpy
0
wait for your pepper from ATM tonight
Let madrid lose..
Muubckpy
1
As a madrid fan , I want madrid to lose unless this coach treat Endrik better. No player is above the club and no caoach os as wl.
haobilmnoz
0
a remu
baba
haobilmnoz
0
aremu
haobilmnoz
1
a remu
mupcelnt
0
Another draw loaded
wait for your pepper from ATM tonight
ZizoArmani10
0
When I see how Xabi fails to deliver with super power squad respect I have for Xavi increases more and more! Squad he won the league was very weak! Very!!
lol the season is not over and Xavi used 3 years at Barca compared to Alonso that just started, every Madridsta will judge him by the end of the season
pium
2
When I see how Xabi fails to deliver with super power squad respect I have for Xavi increases more and more! Squad he won the league was very weak! Very!!
Edooo87
4
Another draw loaded