Xabi Alonso says Real Madrid must learn to live with outside criticism and maintain their positive spirit after Sunday's 2-2 draw with Elche extended their winless run.
Los Blancos have now gone three games without a victory, having lost 1-0 to Liverpool in the Champions League and played out a goalless draw with Rayo Vallecano prior to the international break.
On Sunday, they needed an 87th-minute equaliser from Jude Bellingham to avoid ending the weekend behind Barcelona at the top of LaLiga.
Elche captain Aleix Febas struck first in the 53rd minute, with Dean Huijsen equalising, but Alvaro Rodriguez came off the bench to restore the hosts' lead before Bellingham's intervention.
Speaking after the game, Alonso reiterated his faith that Madrid's results would soon turn.
"The team has not fallen, we'll keep competing. The results and the performances can be improved," he told reporters.
"We are self-critical, but the spirit is still good. In the face of adversity, we must continue. This is Real Madrid and we know that we must live with the criticism."
Only a few months into Alonso's reign, reports in the Spanish media have claimed there is a disconnect between the former midfielder and some of the big names in his squad.
But he refuted those suggestions, saying: "The connection with the players is improving. We know each other better and we are in the same boat, going in the same direction.
"We celebrate together and we are not happy when we don't win. The day to day is good and we must reverse this moment."
Alonso also faced criticism in some quarters for leaving Vinicius Junior out of his starting lineup, with the Brazilian replacing Rodrygo as a 57th-minute substitute.
Vinicius has now been brought off the bench in four of Madrid's games this season, but Alonso is adamant the forward had no issue with his role.
"There's no problem, we had talked about it, as we did many times," he said.
"He understood it and knew the role he was going to play. Today we are not happy, but everyone is energetic and wants to recover the good dynamic."
Madrid return to action in the Champions League on Wednesday, when they visit Olympiacos, with a trip to Girona to follow in LaLiga on Sunday.
/MADRIDISTA
0
This coach is a joke. Why changed the winning system?
bodbdmopu
2
why Alonso changed Arda Gular role???? someone that scored and created chances, since Bellingham returned from injury things changes,we found it difficult to score goals.....
cetdklmory
3
Alonso is definitely making mistakes in his lineup. The attack is not working - Arda Guler is average in midfield, cannot direct decisive attacks. Rodrygo doesn't show hunger & clinical finishing. Don't know why Carmavinga is not starting - he's very good defensively & also attacks well. Endrick should be picked ahead of G Garcia. Garcia looks out of depth & shouldn't be in the 1st team. If this continues, Alonso won't be RM coach next season !
sitilnry
2
our coach self is useless we understand that you hit all Brazil players with out them lam no sure but end of the league you can achieve nothing
kizaeimnz
1
Not Madrid but you and Florentino for bringing to us this misery called you and your stupid line ups! For 45 minutes of first half your left side was totally useless and your number 6 was nowhere to be found! This is big league and not Bundesliga and thus the team is run by inexperienced coach and by a president that is clueless as to the personnel needed!
Jopclmoruy
0
because you beat Barca means u are a good coach right your sacking is near... Barcelona were sluggish and with many injures against u that's why u won...
Stfu excuse fc
Fedbinrtu
1
madriɗ will continue struggling until the players decided to work as a team. stupid boys everybody wants to show off. I lost a lot of money because of them yesterday. Elche play far better than Madrid
Yembdiklsy
3
Yes players are not happy with this man.he is destroying our team
piybcelry
2
Before this coach am telling madrid fans say this man no sapi our team
piybcelry
2
I trust my real Madrid no get time useless coach now
cozdekmot
3
this man has all assets to win games. before jude comes in, yhe team is perfect. play arda in free Role jude blocked 🚫 every movement he wants to create , to dictate, and still wants to score goals. no way is that possible, everyone has a role to play. .
suwbklmotu
1
it's ok. Keep building the team. there is positive things ahead. Hala Madrid
Hieabcdios
1
v
wabacdkmnu
2
The team is too big for him.......
RealMadridTom79
0
Elche was robbed two points! Cheating became a norm in this season for Madrid!
What about when Barca robbed others. You don’t want to see that as you are biased about Madrid.
RealMadridTom79
3
Alonso is the next Benitez. Sacking ancelotti was a mistake. Madrid plays terrible under him. He doesn’t know how to handle the dressing room. Ancelotti was a master of that. Without getting the dressing room behind you no matter how good tactician are you.
jukcknprsu
0
We need to win more games
wuuadimrsu
0
Madrid is big for xabi alonso
This Is True.......
yeeceprtz
2
The downfall has started
HenryStriky
1
because you beat Barca means u are a good coach right your sacking is near... Barcelona were sluggish and with many injures against u that's why u won...
bohbcdikmr
5
This Alonso guy is a clown and shud be booted out fo d club….wats Mbappe always doing outside the box??hes d coach and he must make dat selfish brat to work for d team…I’ve never in my life seen a striker always standing outside box wen his team is crossing/attacking d opposition box….??mbappe shud be put in his place if he can’t play for d team
Emmysomto
6
The coach is good but Madrid is bigger than him and the players not cooperating
Souknprtu
5
real Madrid need a special coach not like Alonso because his style of play isn't taken real Madrid in to high stage level
dincdeops
1
we all know you guys agent of sportybet, once real Madrid are playing late on Sunday just know they can't win because of their investments with sportbet
vaucdkosuz
3
Alonso you're the problem of madrid. look at yesterday game playing with 5 defenders against elche vini,Valverde all in the bench ur defense also not too strong
zeebmnprz
4
The team lacks endurance and agility in almost all of the games under Alonso. I suggest that Madrid sack him as soon as possible to avoid more problems
Muwadilnuy
2
stupid coach he sold the game this guy what kind of first 11 was that
Hocbdeklmt
1
the coach is not good
jatadmnosu
5
Madrid is big for xabi alonso
Leuemstuyz
2
you need make your players run and run through out the game, strikers to stand and defenders struggling with opponents is unacceptable
pium
3
Elche was robbed two points! Cheating became a norm in this season for Madrid!
Brighton29
1
is their form now be likened to the size or shape of a vehicle? 🙂 hala MADRIDISTAs!
jeedrsty
0
Big lie. It's glaring the players are not happy.