Times are tough for Xabi Alonso. The Real Madrid coach is strongly criticized by Madrid public opinion following this series of three matches without winning. More than the results, it is the content of the matches which poses a problem, with a lackluster offensive animation, far from the promises of flamboyant play formulated upon his arrival. Clearly, despite this first place in La Liga, the Merengues are disappointed.
Where everything gets complicated is that Xabi Alonso’s message is not getting through to his players. Several locker room locksmiths, including the Brazilian clan, Fede Valverde and Jude Bellingham are said to be at odds with their coach, each for different reasons. If the arrival of the former Bayer Leverkusen player was a source of hope and that a new virtuous cycle should open, the opposite is happening for the moment. Xabi Alonso knows it, this match against Olympiakos on Wednesday evening in the Champions League risks being a final decision for him…
Alonso sides with the players
In a tone that is sometimes a little defiant and clearly not at ease, the former midfielder first wanted to put things into perspective. “I am certainly not the first coach who has to experience these situations. I think a lot about what Carlo (Ancelotti, Editor’s note), Mou (José Mourinho, Editor’s note) or Pellegrini (Manuel, Editor’s note) who are the coaches I had, would do. These are not new situations, we are demanding and self-criticism is necessary. We know where we want to go. I’m enjoying it. Managing big players? I had to live with great players and great personalities, they are demanding and they are great professionals. It’s the chance to be at Real Madrid, you have people of this level and you have to find a connection with them.”indicated the former midfielder of the Spanish selection.
Then, a rather incisive question was asked: do players have the power to get a coach fired? The coach wanted to defend his players: “We must respect them. I’m not going to talk about that. I know what a locker room is, what you have to experience and how you have to get used to the noise outside. These are situations that should not distract us. The results are not what was expected, and we know the consequences, but this must not deviate us from the path we want to follow. (…) I don’t pay attention to the rest, what worries me is what’s happening in Valdebebas and tomorrow on the ground”. See you tomorrow evening…
